Is Mr Pacheco Standing in the Way?

For John, BLUF:  Unions are necessary in our economy, but so is reasonable competition.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Here is The Boston Globe, back in 2011, editorializing about the Pacheco Law.

One wonders if this particular law will interfere with efforts to make the MBTA more effective and efficient.

I guess at some level this doesn't really make any difference, except that the MBTA is important to the economy of Eastern Massachusetts.  When the weather is good, that the MBTA usually works well and there are no problems, but if next Winter is as bad as this last one, or worse, and if the MBTA breaks down more than this last year it might well be very disruptive.  For one thing, those with access to automobiles may abandon the MBTA, taking to the highways, slowing everyone's commute.  That is tolerable, but for those who have no alternative to the "T" breakdowns mean late to work or not making it to work, which might lead to firings, which leads to extra costs for the Commonwealth, and more important, possible loss of housing.  Bad in any weather, it would be worse in the Winter.  We need the MBTA to work.

Regards  —  Cliff