Lawyer: Government Unions Still Exert Influence on the Workforce

Charles Caulkins was quoted in American City & County on January 19, 2016. The article “Government Unions Still Exert Influence on the Workforce” discussed how unions still wield plenty of power.

Unions are a very active, large and significant factor in the public sector workforce in over half of the states, Charles told GPN.

“Although the number of members compared to the population is small, public sector unions exert significant political influence over elected officials in many locations,” said Charles. He noted that many public sector unions provide campaign financing and generate votes for politicians. “This positively affects their relationships with elected officials who decide pay and benefit issues for the members of those public sector unions,” he added.

Charles doesn’t expect to see public sector unions achieving huge recruitment triumphs or other major breakthroughs among government workers in 2016. “I do believe the public sector unions will likely be able to retain their power and influence in 2016, although there are financial pressures, especially concerning unfunded pension liabilities.”

He advises employers on the development and implementation of preventive labor relations programs, including management education and training, to avoid charges and lawsuits, protect trade secrets, and resolve disputes. He regularly counsels employers on union-related matters. He also handles employment-related litigation and arbitrations before state and federal courts and administrative agencies involving claims of discrimination, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, OSHA and other statutory claims.

To read the full article, please visit American City & County.