Outrages like the LIRR case have turned public sentiment against ALL public sector unions, to the extent that they're now fighting for their very existence in state after state:

 

Opponents of the Ohio law that would limit public employee unions' collective bargaining power out-raised and out-spent the law's supporters more than three times over, according to campaign finance records filed Thursday.

We are Ohio, a union coalition that has been leading the repeal effort, by ballot initiative, of the law that passed the Ohio Legislature in March,  has raised more than $30 million in contributions and other assistance, drawing largely on national union organizations.

…The Ohio law prohibits public employees from striking and requires workers to pay for their health insurance and pensions. Republican Gov. John Kasich signed the bill into law in late March, but it is now on hold pending the referendum, known as Issue 2, which gives voters the opportunity to repeal it.

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Unions raise and spend big in fight to overturn Ohio law

http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/28/news/la-pn-ohio-unions-money-20111028

 

Second grade teachers Jamie Meyer, left, and Jennifer Kenney protest against anti-union legislation outside of the Sharonville Convention Center in Ohio before Gov. John Kasich was scheduled to speak. (Carrie Cochran / The Enquirer / October 22, 2011)

 

By Kim Geiger Washington Bureau

October 28, 2011, 11:15 a.m.