Today’s Washington Examiner posted an editorial suggesting that we ban government employee unions. 

According to Department of Labor statistics released in January 2009, about 40 percent of government workers (at the federal, state, and local levels) are represented by unions.  The union membership in the private sector is less than 10 percent.

The problem is the conflict between the union’s goal of increasing pay and benefits for its workers and the local, state, and federal governments’ need to stop the spiraling tax rates needed to cover the additional cost.

Unions began as a way to prevent companies from taking advantage of their workers.  They were needed and accomplished many worthwhile things.  Now they have become those corporations, and no one is holding them accountable.  Union leaders have incomes and benefits that would make Wall Street blush.  Union money is routinely given to political parties without the consent of the union members.  The unions have become as corrupt as the corporations they once sought to clean up. 

The article at the Washington Examiner does not mention the unsavory connection between the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).  This is another reason to examine the relationship between unions and government employees.