"Such resentments won’t recede until public and private employees are seen as being at rough parity in terms of pay and benefits."

This is hilarious. If citizens want to make public workers compensation package on parity with the private sector, as a State worker, PLEASE sign me up. Just understand that my salary should go up about 25-30% to match what my private sector counterparts are making. 

OH WAIT - I think you mean you want to cut my retirement account and keep my pay way lower than private sector. Good luck keeping quality people around - we already have a tough time with them jumping ship to go back into the private sector. Making way more money with Intel, Boeing, and large construction companies. Think I'm kidding? I can name the employees for you and where they went. Intel alone said they start people who do what I do at six figures. I'm not complaining about my compensation package, I'm just saying people's perceptions and reality are not the same on this.