Before JFK cleared the way for public employee unions, civil servants were expected to sacrifice high salaries in exchange for job security and a comfortable pension. Today they have it all -- perhaps not the same job security as before they were unionized, but FAR more secure than any private-sector job. And they have the high pay, generous paid vacations, the Cadillac health plan and the lucrative pension. But they have found they can get even more by striking and holding the public hostage for basic services. In the case of teachers, they also have a minimal schedule, Christmas break, spring break and every conceivable holiday. They will tell you they have to spend summers in continuing education, but private-sector...