Public employee strikes: harmful and illegal

Governor Locke and Attorney General Gregoire need to enforce the law

OLYMPIA -- Starting yesterday, the Washington Federation of State Employees started its members on rolling walkouts to protest what they feel is too small a raise. But there are a few things missing in the coverage of the issue.

First of all, public employees aren't striking against the government, they’re striking against mental health patients, welfare recipients, children, families, communities, and taxpayers.

Public employees have the right to petition government if they’re not satisfied with their compensation, but they DO NOT have the right to strike and hold citizens hostage to their demands.

Public employee strikes are illegal according to state law and two Washington State Supreme Court cases. State law couldn't be more clear:

Nothing contained in this chapter shall permit or grant any public employee the right to strike or refuse to perform his official duties. (RCW 41.56.120)

But Governor Locke and Attorney General Christine Gregoire refuse to uphold the law. Instead, Gregoire tried to broker a legislative deal for striking union workers. This effectively ignores state law -- and sets a dangerous precedent for other public employee unions.

Then there's the fact that public employees aren't that bad off. Right now, the average compensation for public employees in Washington state is $50,956 a year! Yet they’re striking over $30 a month increase in their health care premiums over the next two years.

Unlike those in the private sector, public employee demands are not constrained by the company’s bottom line. Thus, public employees can simply withhold essential services until public pressure forces the legislature to give in to their demands at the expense of taxpayers or other important services.

We realize public employees have legitimate concerns and the right to try to better their position. But holding taxpayers and needy citizens hostage to their demands is both harmful and illegal.

Contact: Marsha Richards, Communications Director, (360) 956-3482

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org