This is why I read Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall:
Maybe federal employees shouldn’t get the double protection of unions and civil service status. It’s not an unreasonable argument. If that’s what the president believes, he should send up a separate bill abolishing the civil service system.
Although my preference would be to abolish collective bargaining for government workers at all levels, because their civil service protection is enough, or should be in a country run by elected officials.
That will never fly, more’s the pity. Government workers being just about the only growth area left for the unions (though I understand they’re making some headway with lower level health care workers, as well), the Democrats would stop at nothing to prevent a measure designed to keeping State employees from unionizing.
Several states prohibit civil servants from striking or engaging in collective bargaining already, including Texas.