UNIONS SEEK MORE SAY FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

In a way, the recent story about the union that represents Cape Girardeau's public works department employees was humorous.

It seems public-works employees in the 1970s opted for representation by the International Union of Operating Engineers even though collective bargaining with public employees isn't permitted in Missouri.

As membership has declined nationwide, unions have sought to bolster their ranks among government employees.

Teachers unions are among the largest in the nation, and city, county and state workers have been targeted for organizing efforts.

The city's public-works employees, however, have been out of touch with their union so long that many of the affected city employees didn't even know they were represented by a union.

There are indications that unions are once again stepping up their efforts among government workers. In some cases, those attempts go far beyond the meet-and-confer rights currently afforded public employees. Collective bargaining is still a long way off for these workers, and government must be vigilant to any attempt to abuse these limits.