The lame duck Jefferson Parish School Board has voted 6-3 to let 3,000 school support workers opt for union representation. Wow! This is a real gift to local unions. The approval vote happened last week, and the employees will vote tomorrow. This is an example of what labor wants to achieve in the private sector -  fast elections. Essentially there is no time to inform employees of the down side of unionization, or to mobilize any worker or community opposition. The fact that the issue would be decided by a lame duck Board, a majority of whose members will be replaced in January, only underscores the problem with politicians addressing labor/management issues. Whose representing the taxpayer at that bargaining table?

A cloture vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, S. 3772 is scheduled for tomorrow. The Paycheck Fairness Act would amend the Equal Pay Act. The EPA was designed to require equal pay for equal work, but has been judicially interpreted to permit employers to defend pay disparities provided the differential in pay is based on a factor other than sex. The PFA requires any differential to be based on “bona fide factors” such as education, training or experience. Such bona fide factors must also be consistent with “business necessity.” SInce the bill has already passed the house, Senate passage would send the bill to President Obama who favors the legislation and is expected to sign it.