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 New York Post and, since 1998, as editor and
featured columnist of the Chief-Leader, 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
Chief-Leader, "Razzle Dazzle," Enough Blame to Go Around 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.