UNION MENTALITY - Nealz Nuze on boortz.com

UNION MENTALITY
By Neal Boortz
@ February 17, 2010 8:36 AM

John Stossel pointed out this quote from a union official in New York. It really highlights the essence of union mentality, particularly the ever-growing government union mentality.

Albany Police Officers Union President Chris Mesley says that, regardless of the faltering economy, a no-raise new contract is unacceptable.

And to hell with the public.

"I'm not running a popularity contest here," Mesley said. "If I'm the bad guy to the average citizen . . . and their taxes have go up to cover my raise, I'm very sorry about that, but I have to look out for myself and my membership."

Mesley added: "As the president of the local, I will not accept 'zeroes.' If that means . . . ticking off some taxpayers, then so be it."

Do you remember what I told you yesterday? I shamelessly stole material from a Minneapolis Star-Tribune opinion piece to explain the difference between government and private-sector unions. Here's your rehash:

Private Sector Unions
Union members know that if their demands are unreasonable they could cause the financial collapse of their employer. Managers know that if they give too much to the unions the business may not survive. Each side has a survival instinct to address.

Government Employee Unions
Union members know that no matter what sort of grand contract they negotiate, their employer, the government, will be able to pay the tab. This is because government doesn't have to make a profit to operate. Government only needs the power to seize money from the taxpayers. Likewise, government leaders know that they can give the unions almost any concession because of their ability to seize the needed funds through taxation. There's one more advantage for government employee unions: They participate in the process of choosing the very politicians they're going to negotiate for more wages and benefits. Sweeeeeeet.