public (sector) unions

It might seem to be a Republican dream: a wish list of goodies that make the Democratic governor (backed by public-sector unions) squirm.

Across the public sector, unions have fought all this, most cruelly in education (see article).

Such laws will fuel the growth of the public-sector unions that are bankrupting local governments across the United States.

In Romania, too, public-sector unions are up in arms over spending cuts that were decreed under a bail-out agreed with the IMF and EU.

Meanwhile, public-sector unions promised to bring hundreds of thousands of workers out on strike in co-ordinated protests against cuts.

And now Mr. Walker and his backers are trying to get rid of public-sector unions, too.

Also the public sector unions realise that sympathy with their cause among the general public is limited.

It was the big public-sector unions which squashed the 2005 reforms proposed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, then California's governor.

The real accomplishment of the Stimulus was to dramatically expand the ranks of the public sector unions and bureaucracy.

Public-sector unions can't be allowed to determine the shape of public services.

The opposition and public sector unions are no doubt biding their time and waiting for the autumn.

South Korea's public-sector unions are likely to be bitter opponents of Mr Lee's privatisation programme.

Britain may see the next such clash as its public-sector unions square up for battle.

Even in Wisconsin they cannot be addressed simply by taking on the public sector unions.

The row the state's leaders sparked off by attempting to curb the influence of public-sector unions is spreading across the country.

But it is crucial that the war with the public-sector unions is won in the right way.

Public-sector unions are already giving warning of a sustained campaign of strikes.

Northeastern's Mr Bluestone, a former lineman at Ford, argues that public-sector unions are at a point of decision.

Public-sector unions combine support for higher spending with vigorous opposition to more accountability.

It will have to begin facing down public-sector unions and enforcing barely implemented reforms.

Britain's Labour Party gets 80% of its funding from public-sector unions (which also, in effect, chose its new leader).

That's because public sector unions and private sector unions are very different creatures.

But Texas could then end up with the same over-empowered public-sector unions who have helped wreck government in California.

He points out that even Franklin Roosevelt was uncomfortable with the idea of public-sector unions.

Naturally public-sector unions will do their utmost to protect the interests of their members.

In both Europe and America well-connected public-sector unions obstruct progress.

The first tendency is illustrated by the government's response to the latest round of strikes by the public-sector unions.

Economists still debate exactly what impact public-sector unions have on pay.

The strikes are being led by public sector unions, which remain very powerful in France.

Progress also has been blocked by opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions, and other vested interest groups.

But those centrist voters soon let him down: a series of reforms were easily defeated by the big public-sector unions in 2005.

Public-sector unions now face the biggest challenge in their history.

For years politicians from both parties have given in to public-sector unions.

[C] Labor Party has long been fighting against public-sector unions.

Even if they fail to elect "their" candidates, public-sector unions have a relatively easy time negotiating with politicians.

This is not all Mr Corzine's fault, but he has never seriously challenged the cosy contractors and public-sector unions that bloat costs.

All four governors have caused a stir by taking on public-sector unions.

Public-sector unions are prudent in taking actions.

There are three reasons for the public-sector unions' clout.

Public-sector unions seldom get in trouble for their actions.

Public-sector unions are some of the world's most powerful interest groups.

In California, for example, budget politics are dominated by the interests of large public-sector unions.

An ex-miner ( "ten years down the Manvers pit" ) worries that public-sector unions are making a grave mistake.

Public-sector unions are much less subject to market discipline and foreign competition than private-sector ones;