Union Leaders Gird for Battle Against Republican Running for Governor of Illinois - Book Report/Review Example

Union Leaders Gird for Battle against Republican Running for Governor of Illinois – Review Summary The article concerns a contesting first time governor for the state of Illinois, who is a republican. Union leaders do not advocate for his leadership, as they fear he might pass inconvenient laws regarding the public sector labor unions, pensions, and pay. The fear are because of previous republican leaders who passed laws that inconvenienced did not favor employees, such as, the Indiana Governor who brought an end to collective bargaining for state workers.

Robert Lynch, the deputy director of the local council of the American Federation of State, county and municipal employees regard Mr. Rauner as a person determined to destroy unions. As a result, some leaders endorsed another republican, and are oppose Mr. Rauner attempts to become the next governor. Given that labor unions in Illinois have always been democratically controlled, the inception of a republican leader could lead to drastic changes, causing alarm to the labor leaders. Mr. Rauners has also criticized leaders of the public sector unions and this adds to the belief that he wants the unions destroyed.

Further, he advocated for cuts on retiree’s benefits, and esteems leaders who focus on reducing employee benefits, which compels labor leaders to oppose him.Mr. Rauner, however, asserts that he is not against the unions. He defends himself by stating that his problem lies with union leaders who get manipulated by political leaders. He also intends to improve the financial position of the state, by lowering taxes, and making it conducive for business.Mr. Rauner has contradicted himself many times in public.

He at one instance recommended lowering the state’s minimum wage, but talks of increasing it in another session. He also insists that he is in touch with the working people. CritiqueThis essay tends to advocate more for the republicans than it does for democrats. Although it highlights the reasons that make the union leaders oppose the election of Mr. Rauner, it still promotes the election of a different republican. More to this, it downplays the election of Mr. Quinn, a democratic contestant.

Several facts in the report make it credible. First, the fact that Mr. Rauner criticized union leaders, explains why the leaders do not support him (Davey, 2014). Secondly, Mr. Quinns’ failure in overhauling the pension issue in Illinois serves to show why he is not popular in the current election. Thirdly, the state of Illinois faces a sharp financial crisis. Consequently, the promise of Mr. Rauner to improve the business environment should be supported. Contradictions given in the report of Mr.

Rauner depict a bad image of the aspiring governor. A good leader should be consistent, unlike Mr. Rauner who speaks of reducing minimum wages in one instance and increasing them in another. In addition, responding in public to be among the top 0.01 percent introduces an element of pride in the leader. Consequently, the essay discusses both sides of Mr. Rauner. It gives his strengths – positive intentions, as well as negative side, which makes it unbiased. These can be used by people to judge whether to elect him or not as he will affect diverse areas of their lives.

ReferencesGreenhouse, S. (2014). Labor Leaders See Focus on Wages as Key to Union and Democratic Victories. New York Times. Web < http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/20/us/politics/labor-leaders-see-focus-on-wages-as-key-to-union-and-democratic-victories.html>