There was a time when the choice was a government job that had job security with adequate pay and good  bennies or the private sector with less job security but the potential for very lucrative pay and maybe bennies; depending on individual effort and value that an employee or union brought to their employers.
During the fat years of our oil wealth, public pay with bennies started to more closely mirror the private sector. Often matching top tier private sector jobs such as oilfield jobs. Ostensibly to be competitive in hiring.
State jobs never really gave up that job security factor as a trade-off.
The majority of oilfield workers never have had job security.  Even oil company employees might have to transfer out of state if they want to stay with that company.
State Unions have now traded security for more lucrative pay and bennies over the years. Maybe they should model labor contracts more to the amount of value an employee brings to their employer. 
Not knocking current employees.