Panelists answered the following: Should public employee unions have a legal right to go on strike?
Mary Zanger: “Yes. Unions practice real democracy. All members vote and leadership responds. Serious thought and discussion occurs preceding the vote to strike. Strikes become very costly for members as strikers forfeit their paychecks for the duration. All workers have a stake in their employment. Their time, thoughts, skill sets and efforts are freely invested. Unions give workers a voice; without a voice workers become slaves.”
Jim West: “No. Union employees in the private sector have the right to strike and cripple a private business – that’s where they get their muscle. But union employees in the public sector cripple the public health, safety and welfare of innocent people when they strike.”
Ruth Erickson: “No, though the law allows them to strike, the employees are working for the public; therefore, they have a special obligation to serve the public who funds their salaries and benefits.”
Nants Foley: “Absolutely they have the right to strike. But they should also remember how well it went for the air traffic controllers in 1981.”
Richard Place: “Only if the union promises to accept all our complaints about government and does something about it. Maybe they could withhold political donations. Isn’t there a conflict of interest there?”
Marty Richman: “No, for a discussion of the issue and my thoughts in more detail, please read my column in today’s edition of the Free Lance.”
