About Me
Contact Me
Web Resources
2008 Primary Re-hash

Reports

• Bogus Union Grabs 1.15% of State Child Care Payments updated 8/7/2010
• Mayor Bernero's "City Administrative Account" updated 8/10/2010
• Shining a Light on the Board of Water and Light
• PAC Contributions to City of Lansing Candidates updated 1/14/2010
• PAC Contributions to Ingham County Commissioners
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield PAC: Contributions and Expenditures
• Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers PAC: Contributions and Expenditures

Opinion & Ideas

State Issues:

• Eliminate the State Senate
• Eliminate the Budget Process
• Repeal the Prevailing Wage Law
• Reform our Tax System
• Repeal the City Income Tax Act
• Stop the Pension Fund Give-away
• Shut Down the Lottery
• Keep Abortion Legal
• Legalize Gay Marriage
• Abolish the Parole Board
• Expand Access to Information

National Issues:

• Reform the Tax System
• Guarantee Universal Health Care
• Reform Social Security
• Stop Subsidizing the Ad Industry
• Stop Subsidizing Credit Card Users
• Direct Democracy

The Case Against Collective Bargaining
June 1, 2010

I am a liberal who thinks liberals are wrong in supporting collective bargaining. I believe collective bargaining reduces overall income and upsets its equitable distribution. It causes unemployment and increases taxes.

There are lots of people who think unions are - or can be - harmful, but still support the concept of collective bargaining. I don't. I think the National Labor Relations Act, which established collective bargaining in 1935, should be repealed.

I've put a lot of thought into this over the years and although I am no scholar (see About Me), I've put together several arguments to support my case. I've thought about writing a book on the subject but haven't gotten far. So what I'm going to do here is lay it out on this website as a work in progress, rough and unfinished, and keep working on it. Links to individual essays are below.

Unions are Killing Michigan
The Wagner Act
What Economists Think
Why the Market Wage is Better for Everyone
The Illogic of Collective Bargaining
Market Wage vs. Fair Wage
Imagining a Free Labor Market
Rights and Freedom
Destruction of the Middle Class
Job Security
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)
Social Costs of Collective Bargaining
Ending Fringe Benefits
Democrats and Unions
Collective Bargaining in Government

Your comments and suggestions on any aspect are welcome. Send them to steve_harry@yahoo.com.