Public Sector Unions

Many world economies are in trouble. People and governments are asking, “what can we do to get out of this spiraling debt crisis that affects not only nations, but also our states and cities?”

While there is no single quick fix, one element seems obvious. We have to stop treating and remunerating the people that work FOR us, better than we are treated and paid in the private sector. Public service salaries are paid by US, the taxpayers, and should be more in line with what we, the taxpayers, are being paid ourselves.

The biggest issue is retirement benefits. With people living longer, we can’t afford to have a bureaucrat work in the public sector for 25 or 30 years, retire at age 50 on “Factor 80” and then receive a nearly-salary-sized pension for the next 40 years, indexed to inflation. We simply can’t fund a burden like that.

If the age of retirement in the private sector is 65 or even later, it should be the same in the public sector. Why do we worry that our Social Security system is in jeopardy of collapsing under the weight of our aging population, but we don’t talk about public sector pensions as a massive liability? We cannot afford to watch our infrastructure crumble from lack of money while our public sector employees retire in mid-life at largely public expense. WHY should WE work an extra fifteen years financing the retirees our taxes paid in the first place? It simply makes no sense.

If you are a member of the public sector you will of course not agree. Everyone including me - is self-serving and has an attitude of entitlement. Look at the VERY generous pensions that members of Parliament and Congress have established for themselves. Do you think that’s right? Wouldn’t you say that as public sector members they should set an example of restraint?

Ideas are easy to verbalize, but difficult to implement. But this is a battle that needs to be fought and that we, the taxpayers, simply cannot afford to lose. It won’t be easy. Unions are organized. They make up huge voting blocs for or against - politicians. They provide necessary services that are endangered by strikes. But it must be done and it must be done soon.