BILLY SHIELDS (LEFT), FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE PHOENIX FIREFIGHTERS UNION, ESCORTS GOV. JANET NAPOLITANO AT THE FORMAL 2006 DEDICATION OF THE ARIZONA 9/11 MEMORIAL (Original photo at azgovernor.gov).
Randy Pullen, chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, made an interesting point today about the news that Gov. Janet Napolitano is about to sign an executive order granting “meet and confer” status to unions that represent employees at most state agencies. Pullen points out Napolitano had six years to unilaterally recognize unions, but she’s doing so only now that she’s poised to resign as governor and become director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Arizona is a right-to-work state and the governor is changing a long standing policy because she knows it won’t matter to her political future in Arizona,” Pullen said. “The Legislature has repeatedly refused to pass similar bills.”
I would add that Napolitano no longer would have to deal with the budget implications of granting state employee unions some direct negotiating power. So it’s easier for her to give these unions something they have long desired and could score her points with Democrats in other parts of the country. However, I wonder if the unions shouldn’t be somewhat insulted that Napolitano waited so long. Tribune writer Mark Flatten reported in 2002 that the firefighter unions played a key role in her first campaign for governor by gathering many of the $5 contributions that she needed to qualify for public campaign funds. Unions also have been large fundraisers for state Democratic Party efforts, and Napolitano certainly has been aware of this.
Pullen goes on to demand an official investigation, essentially claiming that Napolitano is consciously rewarding union campaign contributions with the “meet and confer” status, ala what’s going on with the Illinois governor right now. However, if Pullen has any actual evidence of such quid pro quo with the specific unions involved, he should be filing a criminal complaint instead of hoping some prosecutor reads his comments and is inspired to act.
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I am a state employee and union member. *I* will NOT be involved in any union that would be involved in any dirty political deals. It takes TIME for us to organize and work towards these rights. The governor had to wait for us, not the other way around. Pullen is being partisan, unfair and is just plain wrong.
I believe in unions that are run by workers and that’s why I am active and volunteer with the ASEA-CWA to make working conditions better. Better working conditions for state employees make AZ a better place for EVERYONE to live!
we are in the process of votimg for union representation, the governor is an informed leader who knows the process and realizes that she can’t call for meet and confer until the people have positioned themselves for union representation. You can make partisan accusatory remarks but we believe that she is only looking out for her people!
“So it’s easier for her to give these unions something they have long desired and could score her points with Democrats in other parts of the country. However, I wonder if the unions shouldn’t be somewhat insulted that Napolitano waited so long.”
I would have to go with the old saying, better late than never…
There is more to meets the eye with everything, every action or inaction. Knowing when to do what is the beauty of a good politician. Humans all of them, all open to mistakes, make their decisions based on their prior experiences. I would almost compare this to the arrest of Adam Walshes killer after 27 years, his father John Walsh of Americas Most Wanted, sure seemed releived that it was finally happening. As a communication worker and member of the CWA for the last decade and a half here in Arizona, I am glad to see it finally happening.