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| U of I Expert Says State Taking Aim At Union Pensions |
(IRN)-To some people solving the financial problems of states and cities means looking for fat in payrolls and pensions. But a University of Illinois labor expert says that's not fair.
"It seems to me a very clear political strategy to just drive another nail into the New Deal coalition and constituency that formed back in the 30's and sustained American middle class democracy for decades," said U of I professor of labor and employment Robert Bruno. "But now it certainly seems at risk."
In Illinois, there are more than 80 billion dollars in unfunded pension liabilities. The General Assembly last year passed a new pension system that creates a second tier for new hires beginning after January 1st. It makes state workers work longer and gives them a lower cost of living adjustment. But Bruno says they aren't to blame.
"Historically, Democrats and Republicans could have done a better job of funding those pensions," said Bruno. "They didn't do it, and they should be held accountable for that, not a clerical worker, not a [grounds keeper], not a teacher working at a community college in the state."
Bruno says tough economic times are ripe for weakening the effective labor institution, and that these efforts are more political than substantive measures towards a budget solution.
He says The Presidential Financial Inquiry Commission's report which was released this month blamed the meltdown on Wall Street behavior and government policy.
"Neither the Republicans or Democrats have pointed their fingers at the collective bargaining agreements as the cause of the country’s financial woes," he said.
"They are a countervailing power on behalf of working class people and in times of financial and economic duress, they become just easy targets for all the woes and problems that our failed economic policy is responsible for," said Bruno.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 01 28 11 by Newsroom |
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