The National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR) just released a new study detailing the disturbing trend of the forced unionization of government workers.  In it, NILRR points out that in 2008 and the first 11 months of 2009, unionized private-sector workers lost their jobs at more than double the rate than their private-sector non-unionized colleagues.

Meanwhile, for the first time ever, more than half of our nation’s government workers are now under union boss monopoly bargaining control and the number is growing with disastrous consequences:

While today 51% of unionized workers nationwide are government employees, as recently as 1981 there were more than twice as many unionized private-sector workers as their were unionized public-sector workers. The ever-increasing concentration of Big Labor’s power and influence in government employment will greatly exacerbate the harmful tendency of public employment to grow faster than private employment over time.

Not only that, but Congress is considering passing legislation that would help union bosses corral more city and local government emergency responders into union ranks — legislation that local government officials are warning will make their already-severe budgetary woes even worse.

Combined with NILRR’s recent analysis that taxpayers are fleeing forced unionism states, it’s easy to see their conclusion:  Unless states take action to cut back Big Labor’s numerous government-granted special privileges, fewer and fewer American private-sector workers and their employers are facing a greater tax burden to sustain an ever-growing government — especially in forced unionism states.

Read NILRR’s report here.

And for more on the history of Big Labor’s campaign to acquire incredible power over local, state, and national government, order your free copy of Stranglehold: How union bosses have hijacked our government today.