By David R. Osborne
JULY 6, 2016
Unions limit choices
A commentary preached that right-to-work laws unfairly force unions to pay for nonmembers "free riding" on union representation ("Right-to-work laws have no place in Pennsylvania," June 29). But both private-sector and government unions insist on representing members and nonmembers alike; it's a critical part of their business model.
Unions stifle competition because they want a monopoly over the labor force. Government unions in particular want the political clout that comes with monopoly representation. They fear they'll go out of business if even a minority of employees represent themselves.
As a result, employees have no choice but to accept union representation even when they would fare better without it. Younger employees are hurt by government-union-mandated seniority protections. Mobility-minded employees are hurt by union-negotiated defined-benefit pension systems that have long vesting periods many will never reach. And high-achieving employees are hurt by unions' emphasis on equal pay and protections for the least responsible, least productive employees.
We should give employees the right to choose - or decline - union representation. It's the unions that refuse to allow that choice.
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