Labor Issues

Repeal the prevailing wage law. Enact additional reforms to the unemployment and workers compensation systems, reforms that target cost drivers in both.  Make Pennsylvania a right to work state by securing the right of employees to decide for themselves whether to join or financially support a union. 

PMA Bulletin: October 9, 2013

Labor Reform Says: “You Broke It, You Bought It”

Lady Justice is depicted wearing a blindfold and holding balanced scales, representing impartiality. But in Pennsylvania, the scales are tipped in favor of organized labor.

Union protectionism in Pennsylvania goes so far that it actually permits certain activities that would send anyone else to jail. Now, the House is advancing legislation to balance the interdependent working relationship of businesses, unions, and taxpayers.

Corbett Budget Keeps Government Focused on Core Functions -- Public Education

Submitted by Maura Donley on Wed, 02/27/2013 - 1:59pm

Public Education

When he first took office, Governor Corbett walked into a public education funding gap. For over two years Pennsylvania’s school districts received a total of $1.7 billion in stimulus money. Over that same two-year period, public school employee salaries and benefits jumped by $1.3 billion.

Corbett Budget Keeps Government Focused on Core Functions -- Pensions

Submitted by Maura Donley on Wed, 02/27/2013 - 1:57pm

Pensions

The unfunded liability for state employees and teacher pensions is $41 billion, and if something isn’t done soon we are on the hook for it. The Governor is offering a plan that will almost surely result in a tough political fight because part of it calls for adjusting the pension formulas of those currently employed. There may be no alternative. His budget office says that next fiscal year the costs for pensions will consume 60 percent of all new revenues, money that should be going to core government programs.