The Hiller Instinct: Boston's Budget Battle

To avoid layoffs, Mayor Menino has proposed a one-year wage freeze. So far, half of the 43 unions city hall negotiates with have agreed to the freeze, which the mayor says saved almost two hundred jobs.

But hundreds of jobs are still in jeopardy, even if some unions don't believe it.

The president of the Boston Teachers Union, for example, says "we see absolutely no need to lay off a single person."

Anyone who can't see any reason for layoffs is blind...or, more likely, refuses to see what's right in front of their eyes.

Unemployment, foreclosures--going up! Tax revenue, 401K's--going down!

The picture may be painful to look at, but it's not hard to see. And it's especially disappointing to hear teachers--who are supposed to make our children reasonable and rational sound--so stubborn and short-sighted.

Public unions are wrong to pretend nothing has changed, or to think there's always more revenue that can save their salaries and perks.

It may be trite, but they're supposed to be "public servants" providing "public service."

If they continue to reject freezes, cutbacks, and reductions, my guess is Mayor Menino will have more support, not less, if some of them ultimately lose their jobs.

I'm Andy Hiller, and that's my instinct.

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