Critics: Closed-door union negotiations hinder cutback in spending

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Washington Examiner:


More than 80 cents of every taxpayer dollar spent in Montgomery County is essentially approved behind closed doors during negotiations with employees unions, an arrangement that leaves the public in the dark and hampers efforts to rein in spending, critics contend.

County Council members, who have final budget authority, are targeting employee compensation and benefits -- identified as the cause of the suburb's massive deficits -- for long-term savings. But they have little idea if County Executive Ike Leggett is following suit during ongoing talks with union negotiators.

Council members can reject labor contracts but have generally approved every deal sent to them by the county executive.

Pay and benefits now account for 82 percent of all tax-supported spending, and the average county employee makes roughly $100,000 each year when benefits are included.

Union leaders, however, say allowing the public to watch them hammer out deals would destroy the integrity of negotiating.