The State Worker

If he had just one vote on Nov. 6, the president of the California Federation of Teachers wouldn't use it on Gov. Jerry Brown's tax hike for schools.

A system out of whack. A new program that promises lower benefits. Higher payments from government workers.

A new contract for a small band of unionized industry regulators, locked out until last week, literally prompted standing ovations around the country.

A messy fight between California's largest state employee union, SEIU Local 1000, and another union that has represented 160 of its staff has spilled into public view.

Imagine it's Nov. 7, 2012. Yesterday, California voters approved Proposition 32, ending payroll-deducted funds for politics and eliminating union and corporate contributions directly to candidates. So now what?

Watch Chicago. A strike by teachers there demonstrates public sector unions' struggle to find their footing in an era when even their friends are turning on them.

CalPERS, an organization that once unapologetically promoted higher public pension benefits, is evolving.

Government wages and retirement benefits are a lot like a balloon: Squeezing one end puts pressure on the other.

If you thought politics would settle the raging debate over public pensions, think again. The real action has shifted to the courts.

Are two unions known for fearlessly fighting state worker furloughs going soft?