USA Today Reports State and Local Government Pay Rises

February 1, 2008

The following is a recent report from USA Today comparing public employees wages and benefits to private sector employees. Yes, it is true that not many public sector workers are hired in at "burger flipper" wage rates. But, it is also true that the success in maintaining the benefit levels for public employees is also directly related to the fact that thirty seven per cent of public workers have a strong voice at work through their Unions while less than eight per cent of private sector workers are represented. Do you think there is a direct relationship here?

Even in the public sector, this advantage dwindles rapidly in the so-called twenty-two "Right to Work" (spelled At-Will employees) states where traditionally wages and benefits are much lower and can be changed by the employer at any time.

View the article here.