Have outsiders settle public union negotiations

We need to distinguish between private worker unions and public worker unions. Both have a purpose and should be supported, but there is one key difference that should be recognized and correctly handled.

When private workers sit down to negotiate with management, both sides have a common interest in keeping the business operating. Any agreement must leave the business in a position to remain solvent and healthy with a solid, committed workforce.

When public workers sit down to negotiate with their management, because they are negotiating over public funds for an established public service, there is no need to protect solvency. Management is often willing to negotiate funding that will not impact during their time in a position of control even if this creates obvious problems in the future. Thus we end up with huge unfunded pension liabilities and guaranteed raises that would create bankruptcy in any private business as well as an inability to hire and fire to create an excellent staff.

A simple solution would be to have all public worker union negotiations be handled by an independent party, a negotiator who seeks the best situation for both workers and taxpayers. A negotiation between workers and the people they hired ( voted for) is irrational and detrimental. A commitment from both parties to accept the arbitration results with no strikes or retribution would greatly stabilize society without either side “losing.” Pamela Ames,

Hyde Park

Not laughing at Trump

I remember watching “All In The Family” back in the 1970s, and in one particular episode, Archie was asked by a “Man on the Street” reporter how he would stop airline hijacking.

Archie’s response was that they should arm all the passengers as they boarded. He also said a hijacker would think twice about pulling a pistol if he knew everyone else was armed!

Donald Trump recently said his answer to stop the threat of nuclear weapons was to have every country develop itself own nuclear weapons to protect itself. In the ’ 70s we laughed at Archie Bunker. . . . I am not laughing at Donald Trump.

Ken Karlson, Wheaton

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