Because the public sector collective bargaining laws in Washington and virtually every state that has them 1) make it REALLY ease to form a union or for a union to gain or increase its representation territory and 2) make it really hard for an employee in a represented position to elect not to join (or be a fair share payer) once the union is in place. And while I have the mike, the ability to pay used to be listed in the arbitration statute and was routinely ignored by interest arbitrators. So I kinda doubt getting it back will make a whole lot of difference. $.02 worth
Here's my assessment of what will determine the outcome of arbitration:
30% skill of union attorney 30% skill of management attorney 30% who they picked as arbitrator 10% whether they actually deserve a raise or not 0% (yep, that's right) whether the city can afford it
Used to be policy analysts, aka citizen pacification specialists, worked for the BOCC but reported to the County Administrator. Some number of boards ago they cut out the middleman and took over direct supervision. Reporting directly to a committee is always difficult and reporting to 3 commissioners is especially so. Betcha Rayburn is just one of many former incumbents of that role who have bailed....
County employee unions agreeing to employee contributions to health insurance (premiums) is about as likely to happen as senate republicans agreeing to end the tax breaks for the $250K crowd. Not right but it is what it is....
Its pretty simple really why unions will not cut wages and benefits to save jobs. After the layoffs the people left are still paying dues and judging their union by the compensation they get.
Not everyone hates/opposes light rail, tolls and Jeanne Harris. And not everyone expects Harris and other elected officials to be pure windsocks for whatever the voters want. And not everyone who stands ups and says you are supposed to represent us, actually represents what "us" is thinking.
I want to elect smart, moral people who share my core values to study the issues, real hard, and do what they think is the right or necessary thing. Which often may be different than what I might have done on my own.
Key here is they're given severance as part of an agreement not to sue. Chances are most city councils have done a piss-poor job of defining expectations, documenting and have a full set of skeletons in their own closets. They don't want the embarrassment, transparency and risk of a lawsuit. So if you just want somebody to go away quietly, give 'em money.
adamewood
there's a typo: Your blog should say all politics is loco....
December 4, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I’m no elitist; just ask my chauffeur
I'm resigning my post in the liberal elite and becoming part of the "effete corps of impudent snobs."
March 27, 2011 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Vancouver and two unions stalled on contracts
Lou
Because the public sector collective bargaining laws in Washington and virtually every state that has them 1) make it REALLY ease to form a union or for a union to gain or increase its representation territory and 2) make it really hard for an employee in a represented position to elect not to join (or be a fair share payer) once the union is in place. And while I have the mike, the ability to pay used to be listed in the arbitration statute and was routinely ignored by interest arbitrators. So I kinda doubt getting it back will make a whole lot of difference. $.02 worth
January 6, 2011 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Vancouver and two unions stalled on contracts
Here's my assessment of what will determine the outcome of arbitration:
30% skill of union attorney
30% skill of management attorney
30% who they picked as arbitrator
10% whether they actually deserve a raise or not
0% (yep, that's right) whether the city can afford it
January 5, 2011 at 10:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Who wants to do extra work for no extra pay?
Used to be policy analysts, aka citizen pacification specialists, worked for the BOCC but reported to the County Administrator. Some number of boards ago they cut out the middleman and took over direct supervision. Reporting directly to a committee is always difficult and reporting to 3 commissioners is especially so. Betcha Rayburn is just one of many former incumbents of that role who have bailed....
January 2, 2011 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Clark County approves 1 percent levy increase
County employee unions agreeing to employee contributions to health insurance (premiums) is about as likely to happen as senate republicans agreeing to end the tax breaks for the $250K crowd. Not right but it is what it is....
December 10, 2010 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
artmaximus
An intelligent comment with no lies, distortions or spelling errors. You don't fit in at all
December 5, 2010 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
In Our View: Evasive Answers
Its pretty simple really why unions will not cut wages and benefits to save jobs. After the layoffs the people left are still paying dues and judging their union by the compensation they get.
December 5, 2010 at 11:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Harris apologizes, but is angered by councilors' complaint
Not everyone hates/opposes light rail, tolls and Jeanne Harris. And not everyone expects Harris and other elected officials to be pure windsocks for whatever the voters want. And not everyone who stands ups and says you are supposed to represent us, actually represents what "us" is thinking.
I want to elect smart, moral people who share my core values to study the issues, real hard, and do what they think is the right or necessary thing. Which often may be different than what I might have done on my own.
September 16, 2010 at 11:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Fired — and paid
Key here is they're given severance as part of an agreement not to sue. Chances are most city councils have done a piss-poor job of defining expectations, documenting and have a full set of skeletons in their own closets. They don't want the embarrassment, transparency and risk of a lawsuit. So if you just want somebody to go away quietly, give 'em money.
June 21, 2010 at 9:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )