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Omaha Steve

(99,679 posts) Mon Mar 23, 2015, 09:35 AM Mar 2015

Pennsylvania lawmakers push for open public-sector union bargaining

Source: TribLive

By Brad Bumsted

HARRISBURG — With billions of dollars at stake in upcoming state union negotiations, key lawmakers say they will look closely at legislation that would require public-sector union negotiating sessions to be open to taxpayers.

“Secrecy breeds distrust,” said Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County. “Taxpayers deserve at least the opportunity to be present when elected officials negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that will be paid for with tax dollars.”

The bill's co-sponsors include Senate President Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County.

Sixteen union contracts will be due with the budget July 1, the largest of which is with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Its director and spokesman could not be reached for comment.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/8014750-74/state-negotiations-open#axzz3VCV1zwoE

3 replies

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Pennsylvania lawmakers push for open public-sector union bargaining (Original Post) Omaha Steve Mar 2015 OP

Why do I suspect that their motive for presenting this bill isnt honorable? cstanleytech Mar 2015 #1

Sounds more like a political stunt than substance... Historic NY Mar 2015 #2

They may be trying to alter the PA "Sunshine Act" BumRushDaShow Mar 2015 #3

cstanleytech

(26,306 posts)

1. Why do I suspect that their motive for presenting this bill isnt honorable?

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2015, 09:58 AM

Mar 2015

Historic NY

(37,452 posts)

2. Sounds more like a political stunt than substance...

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2015, 10:13 AM

Mar 2015

Pa. is loaded with Baggers & TP affiliates that would just love to get in on negotiations. Google id loaded with articles.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/386774/anatomy-gop-disaster-losing-pennsylvania-john-fund

BumRushDaShow

(129,250 posts)

3. They may be trying to alter the PA "Sunshine Act"

Reply to Omaha Steve (Original post)

Mon Mar 23, 2015, 11:20 AM

Mar 2015

<...>

Somewhat related to the "personnel exception" is the Act's provision for information, strategy and negotiation sessions related to labor relations. The courts have said that the Act does not require an agency to negotiate a labor contract in public session.

Therefore, an agency may meet in executive session to receive information and conduct discussions about the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement with its employees. The exception also applies when an agency meets to hold discussions regarding a union grievance or labor relations arbitration.

<...>

http://panewsmedia.org/legal/openmeetings/sunshineactmisconceptions

Of course the governor could veto any such legislation if he wants to and if he and the union believe the negotiating sessions should occur in the same manner as they have occurred in the past. And I don't think this proposed legislation could muster 2/3rds of both chambers to successfully override a veto, assuming the Democrats vote against such and override vote en bloc. Anyone who has ever done union negotiations as I have many years ago, finds it's often easier to get through it without the peanut gallery (and in this case, that would be the RW media, which is really who they probably want there to make mountains out of molehills, obfuscate, skew, purposely mis-report, and outright lie about what is being negotiated).

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