Public sector unions certainly are in a different political position than private unions, particularly when it comes to negotiating. I think public sector union negotiations should be done in open meeting style with the opportunity for public analysis and public feed back, and the resulting contracts should be posted plainly for all to see. The ability of the tax-payers to make good election decisions requires they are well informed of the cost of what they are buying. This would help curtail any excesses, as well as expose the exaggerations.
That having been said, the idea that the workers, union or otherwise, are somehow responsible for the fiscal mismanagement of the state government is ludicrous. There has never been a company, state or nation, go belly up broke because of the workers. Never. So if you're going to address a budget problem by dope slapping personnel, where should you start? Union busting and the like to fix these budget and deficit problems is like taking nitro and thinking you're curing heart disease. Feels good for a little while, but you're still sick...
