The Chroniclers Community is searching for solutions to problems related to governance at the local, regional, national and international levels.

The Solutions Framework is useful for outlining a problem and follows this format:

Problem Identification

Is there a real inequality between public and private sector compensation and, if so is it detrimental to the larger society?

Why We Care?

A social pact between public sector employees and taxpayers that favors the public sector to the detriment of taxpayers would be fundamentally unfair. Injustice breeds resentment which often leads to open conflict.

Who is Hurt/Helped?

A ready source of cash from member dues may afford public sector unions a level of influence over public policies beyond what their numbers alone would suggest. Taxpayers could suffer a triple whammy from 1) Too many public sector employees, 2) Pay and benefits that exceed private sector levels, and 3) Taxpayers underwriting the cost of union activities that may be detrimental to taxpayers.

Origin of the Problem

In 1962, President John K Kennedy issued executive order 10988 permitting Federal employees to organize. Some say JFK was motivated out of a desire to garner union member votes. Once elected the first order of business for most politicians is to become re-elected. That takes money. Since unions can extract dues from members, the unions have a continuous supply of money to fund campaigns of politicians most likely to vote for pro union legislation.

Is the Problem Critical?

This problem will continue to intensify as more States face up to the reality they are unable to fulfill the promises made to public employees. Most States are required by State law to balance their budgets. Federal budgets do not have to be balanced; therefore, the crisis at the national level can be postponed by printing money. But not indefinitely.

How to Solve the Problem?

Describe how you would solve this problem with the Solution Form

Resources*

Public Sector vs. Private Sector Compensation or, Suck It, Private Sector

Nick Gillespie reports on author Chris Edwards' study of the public sector.

In Defense of Public Sector Unionism

The Realignment Project takes to task those opposed to unionism.

Federal workers earning double their private counterparts

Dennis Cauchon, USA Today compares public and private sector compensation.

Pay freezes and non-cash compensation

Josh Barro examines the disparity between private and public sector benefits.

*To submit additional resources see the top of this page.

(Image) Protest march organized by the unions.