Enough Blame to Go Around

<p><b>Veteran labor journalist Richard Steier explores the tensions between New York City's public employee unions their critics and city and state politicians.</b></p><p>Since 1980 Richard Steier has had a unique vantage point to observe the gains losses and struggles of municipal labor unions in New York City. He has covered those unions and city government as a reporter and labor columnist for the <i>New York Post</i> and since 1998 as editor and featured columnist of the <i>Chief-Leader</i> a century-old independent newspaper that covers city and state government in greater detail than today's mainstream news organizations. Drawing from his column with the <i>Chief-Leader</i> Razzle Dazzle <i>Enough Blame to Go Around</i> describes in vivid terms how the changed economy has drastically altered the city's labor landscape and why it has been difficult for municipal unions to adapt. There can be no doubt he writes that public employee unions have contributed to the problems that confront them today including corruption and failed leadership. But at the same time and for all their flaws he believes unions represent the best chance for ordinary people to receive fair economic treatment.</p>