Budget not union jurisdiction

All this hype boils down to one point: Unions and state workers are not responsible for our state’s budget situation or the recession that got us here. Though all would like to play the blame game, I don’t remember state workers being responsible for balancing our budget. Wouldn’t that make us all governors?

The myth that public employees’ benefits are higher than public sector employees is just that, a myth.

Many independent studies have shown that state employees are paid anywhere from 7 to 12 percent less than they would if they worked in the private sector. Most state employees work in fields that require specialized education or experience, which is not accounted for when trying to stage comparisons in salaries.

Stripping state workers’ collective bargaining rights is just another way to punish state employees – for what? Being state employees? Being members of a union? A union that protects from unfair labor practices, helps to maintain a decent wage in which we raise our families, and ensures a decent health benefit? Only the uneducated would believe otherwise.

Collective Bargaining is a right that has been fought for. It will continue to be fought for.

Dan J. Joy

Spokane