On Wednesday evening, I was in attendance at Cranston Mayor Allan Fung’s announcement that he planned to seek reelection to the position of mayor. As the mayor pointed out many people in the crowd from union leaders, police officials, regular townsfolk, and GOP candidates, I had this thought, “If all Republicans took the Fung Approach, we’d be able to wrest control away from Democrats.”
Perhaps I’m biased (I am) but no Republican in this state has been more impressive than Mayor Fung in how he has dealt with competing interests, remained a forceful executive despite having no fellow Republicans on the City Council, and navigated a city through various budget landmines with many, many, more on the horizon (thanks, General Assembly!).
And yet, I never hear his blueprint for success mentioned in Republican circles. Often times, Republicans in this state position themselves as anti-union and pro-management allowing Democrats to style themselves as pro-average joe. In Cranston, a Democrat would have a very difficult time doing the same against Fung as he has demonstrated a willingness and ability to negotiate with different unions, winning taxpayer concessions time and time again. Fung has been able to be fiscally responsible AND able to get away from the stigma that Republicans alienate unions. From all accounts, the union/city negotiations are not zero-sum games.
Put it a different way take a look at below and tell me which one rings true to you:
Anti-Union = Statewide Republicans
Anti-Union = Allan Fung
Republicans would serve themselves well in taking a softer stance with unions, and rather labelling them the bain of our state, work to resolve the issues with them as co-collaborators. Novel idea? Sure, but it seems to be working well in Cranston.
