Why have public-sector unions drifted from improving workplaces to driving culture-war politics? Fr. George Schultze, SJ — former labor organizer, scholar, and spiritual director — joins Disunion to explain how government unions abandoned their historic mission of uplifting workers and instead embraced a post-modern, power-centered ideology. We explore the roots of the labor movement, the moral compass it once relied on, and how today’s unions push agendas — from gender policy to abortion activism — that many members don’t support. Fr. Schultze also shares a hopeful path forward rooted in faith, family, and the dignity of work.

Public schools keep adding more administrators while student performance stagnates—and teachers see little benefit. In this episode of Disunion: The Government Union Report, host David Osborne sits down with Corey DeAngelis and Christos Makridis to unpack their research on how teachers unions drive administrative growth at the expense of classrooms.

Corey and Christos explain why student enrollment has stayed flat while administrative staff has ballooned nearly 95% since 2000, how union incentives fuel this growth, and why teacher salaries have barely budged in decades. They also discuss the impact of right-to-work laws, the fallout from the Supreme Court’s Janus decision, and the role of school choice and teacher freedom in breaking the cycle of waste and misaligned priorities.

From tire-slashing intimidation tactics to billion-dollar funding battles, this conversation reveals the true cost of union power—and what it will take to put students and teachers first.

Former New York City public school teacher Karen Feldman spent more than 25 years in the classroom, earning awards for her groundbreaking Holocaust education curriculum. But in recent years, she witnessed a disturbing shift: professional development and classroom resources promoting anti-Israel narratives, often backed by teachers’ unions and the DOE.

Now leading the NYCPS Alliance, Karen has helped document thousands of incidents of anti-Semitism, biased curricula, and union-backed propaganda infiltrating America’s schools. She joins host David Osborne to expose how groups like the NEA, AFT, and UFT are pushing resources with ties to extremist movements—and what must be done to stop it before it’s too late.

On this episode of Disunion, host David R. Osborne welcomes Sarah Harbison of the Pelican Institute to unpack the high-stakes legislative drama surrounding Louisiana’s recent public-sector union reform bill.

What began as a straightforward “opt-in” bill—requiring government union members to annually confirm their membership and allowing them to resign at any time—quickly turned into a political showdown. Despite early momentum and support from the governor, the bill was gutted in the final hours of the session, raising serious questions about union influence, transparency, and legislative process.

Sarah and David explore how unions wield power behind the scenes, the First Amendment implications of restrictive membership clauses, and what it will take to bring meaningful reform back to the table in 2026.

Whether you’re a policy junkie or a public employee looking to understand your rights, this episode is a must-listen.

Renowned legal scholar Richard A. Epstein joins David Osborne to dissect the legal foundations and economic consequences of public sector unionization. From the early days of private labor unions to the rise of government unions, Epstein explains how collective bargaining has evolved—and why public sector collective bargaining, in his view, breach the public trust. They explore everything from the antitrust roots of union restrictions to Roosevelt’s and Kennedy’s diverging views on public unions, the fallout of the Janus decision, and why many reforms fall short. If you care about the future of labor policy, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of Disunion, host David R. Osborne is joined by Will Sussman of the Manhattan Institute to discuss a disturbing development out of Massachusetts: the state’s largest teachers union, the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), has come under fire for promoting anti-Semitic classroom materials.

Will and David break down the details of a shocking legislative hearing, where lawmakers confronted union leadership about educational resources linked to pro-Hamas propaganda and inflammatory imagery—including a Star of David made of dollar bills and posters glorifying political violence.

The conversation explores how radical ideologies have gained influence in government unions, the limits of union democracy, and how exclusive representation leaves many educators stuck with a union that doesn’t reflect their values. Will also shares insights from his own legal battles and raises a critical question: who really controls our public schools?

In this episode of Disunion: The Government Union Report, host David Osborne is joined by J.C. Bowman, Executive Director and CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee, to explore a groundbreaking model of public sector labor relations: collaborative conferencing. Bowman explains how Tennessee moved away from adversarial collective bargaining toward a more cooperative, teacher-driven process that empowers educators while avoiding exclusive representation and political entanglements.

They discuss how the model works in practice, its bipartisan origins, the role of multiple organizations at the table, and why it might serve as a blueprint for reform in other states like Pennsylvania. With stories from the field and a clear-eyed view of the pitfalls of adversarial labor relations, this conversation offers a compelling case for a new path forward in teacher representation.

In this episode of Disunion: The Government Union Report, host David Osborne welcomes Utah State Representative Jordan Teuscher to discuss his groundbreaking Public Sector Labor Union Amendments bill. Teuscher explains how the legislation aims to increase transparency, protect worker rights, and limit union influence in government operations. They explore the bill's key provisions, including restrictions on payroll deductions for union dues and enhanced reporting requirements. Teuscher shares his insights on the challenges of passing labor reforms and why this bill could serve as a model for other states.

Tune in to learn how Utah’s bold approach to union reform could help reshape public sector labor policy nationwide.

In this episode of Disunion: The Government Union Report, host David Osborne welcomes Steve Delie, Director of Labor Policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, to discuss the continued decline of union membership in both the private and public sectors. They explore why unionization rates are dropping despite high-profile organizing efforts, the impact of the landmark 2018 Janus decision, and how state-level labor reforms—such as opt-in policies and recertification requirements—are reshaping union influence. Steve shares key insights from data-driven research, highlighting the financial and membership challenges unions face post-Janus and what the future may hold for organized labor.

Tune in for a deep dive into the numbers, policies, and legal battles shaping the public sector labor landscape.

Jake Altman, author of Socialism before Sanders, joins Disunion: The Government Union Report podcast host David R. Osborne to discuss labor unions and their challenges. Altman, a former union leader, criticizes extreme leftist positions within unions, citing examples like campus protests. He advocates for democratic reforms, transparency, and inclusive decision-making in unions. Altman suggests that moderates should organize and run for union leadership to counteract far-left influences. The conversation highlights the need for balanced, democratic union practices to better represent and engage members.