State government is Rhode Island’s largest employer. Do we really want to see it get any larger?
Predictably, the labor community would.
We join with the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce board of directors in supporting Gov. Don Carcieri’s efforts to prevent the recognition of independent child-care workers as state employees through unionization.
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When the state labor board last month voted to recognize the child-care workers, effectively creating 1,300 new state workers, it did so with apparently no consideration for the impact such a decision would have on Rhode Island taxpayers. It also ignored a blatant conflict of interest. Three members of the seven-member board are members of the state AFL-CIO’s executive board. They should have recused themselves from such a vote.
The Chamber’s board, in voting unanimously last week to support the governor, cited a potential increase in cost to the state of $8 million to $10 million if the unionization of the child-care workers stands.
Already, the state is facing a budget shortfall of nearly $200 million. The governor has necessarily cut existing programs and services.
Unionizing child-care workers because they are regulated by the state sets a truly dangerous precedent. Who will line up next? Are we to bestow state worker status upon hair stylists, car mechanics and others who are licensed by the state?
Maybe we should all be state workers!
Child-care workers fill an incredibly important role in our economy. They are, in fact, vital. But that doesn’t mean they should get special consideration when it comes to unionization. No one should.
Gov. Carcieri should continue in his efforts to counter the state labor board decision. In doing so, he is acting on behalf of the best interests of all Rhode Island taxpayers.
After all, we should be talking about reducing the size of state government – not increasing it.
