Collective Soul?

I'm going out on a limb knowing there will be those sawing it off behind me, and the scientific community is united in that fact, but I don't believe Republicans are completely right on their collective bargaining stance.

ASSME and the Big Lug Nut are to blame for this with their bargaining (?) deal immediately following the election.

As a taxpayer, I appreciate that Republicans want to have us better represented at the table, but there are other ways to do it than removing the right to bargain for wages, hours and and working conditions (health insurance and retirement).

I'm no lawyer, although I play one on this blog, but it seems that the current law regarding collective bargaining gives the state an avenue to address cost issues...

20.17.6 No collective bargaining agreement or arbitrators' decision shall be valid or enforceable if its implementation would be inconsistent with any statutory limitation on the public employer's funds, spending or budget or would substantially impair or limit the performance of any statutory duty by the public employer. A collective bargaining agreement or arbitrators' award may provide for benefits conditional upon specified funds to be obtained by the public employer, but the agreement shall provide either for automatic reduction of such conditional benefits or for additional bargaining if the funds are not obtained or if a lesser amount is obtained.

If that's not adequate, then change the statute.

I'm not happy with what seems to be an immediate and easy leap to binding arbitration and feel this could be tweaked by not waiving the fact finder step.

Also, drop the "free agent" idea because if you are having trouble negotiating with just three unions, you're not going to be able to fairly negotiate with thousands of individual employees.