"Lee Saunders, the newly elected president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees [AFSCME], said Thursday that one of his top priorities is to encourage a discussion about 'the pension issue' unions are battling. Mr. Saunders and other labor officials are at odds with many GOP lawmakers -- and some Democrats -- who want to balance state budgets by cutting union members' pension benefits. A discussion of this 'tough issue' could help AFSCME counter the cuts and educate the public, Mr. Saunders said."  MORE >>