Do Canada’s public-sector workers make too much money?

Hold on, union apologists. You may be in for a rocky ride.

A new study from the Fraser Institute says public-sector workers are paid on average 12 per cent more than their private-sector counterparts.

The report by the conservative think-tank finds "strong indication" that public workers also receive better pensions and benefits on average. Not only that, but private-sector employees suffered one-sixth the number of job losses than the general public last year.

“At a time when Canadian governments are drowning in debt and deficits, it’s important to look at the compensation packages that government workers have long enjoyed,” Jason Clemens, Fraser Institute executive vice-president, said in a statement.

“The reality is that government employees across Canada receive a hefty wage premium compared to equivalent private-sector workers. A system that pays a premium to government workers is not only economically unsustainable but also unfair to taxpayers.”

Better money, better benefits, more job security. It sounds like those unions are doing what they set out to do – protect their members. Or is this an indication that unions have grown too powerful?

Should the fate of public workers be more in line with the general public? Or do you believe there is a valid reason public-sector workers are better off than the rest of us?