Gerry Clinchy
06-28-2010, 08:20 AM
NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/business/28union.html?th&emc=th
Kind of an interesting development.
For years, Republican lawmakers have railed against public employees’ pay and benefits, but now another breed of elected official is demanding labor concessions, too: current and former labor leaders and allies themselves.
After 12 years erecting steel beams for office buildings, Mr. Sweeney became a top official in New Jersey’s ironworkers union, now holding that post along with his legislative one. He says the state can no longer afford the benefits won over the years by public sector unions.
“At some point, you reach the limit of your ability to pay,” he said.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/28/business/28union.html?th&emc=th
Kind of an interesting development.
For years, Republican lawmakers have railed against public employees’ pay and benefits, but now another breed of elected official is demanding labor concessions, too: current and former labor leaders and allies themselves.
After 12 years erecting steel beams for office buildings, Mr. Sweeney became a top official in New Jersey’s ironworkers union, now holding that post along with his legislative one. He says the state can no longer afford the benefits won over the years by public sector unions.
“At some point, you reach the limit of your ability to pay,” he said.