5th Edition
Labor Relations in the Public Sector
Since publication of the fourth edition of Labor Relations in the Public Sector, public sector unions have encountered strong headwinds in many parts of the U.S. Membership is falling in some jurisdictions, public opinion has shifted against the unions, and political forces are leaning against them. Retaining the structure that made the previous editions so popular, this fifth edition incorporates a complete round of updates, particularly sections on recent trends in membership figures, new legislation, and new politics as they influence bargaining rights.
See What’s New in the Fifth Edition:
- Up to date examination and analysis of public sector labor relations and collective bargaining
- Important changes in the public labor relations and unionization landscape
- Updated analysis of the financial and human resource outcomes of collective bargaining in the public sector
- Collective bargaining institutions and processes in government
Completely updated in terms of the scholarly and professional literature and relevant events, the new edition identifies and explains the implications of the new collective bargaining environment, including financial and human resource management issues and outcomes. As in previous editions, collective bargaining and labor relations are addressed at all levels of government, with comparisons to the private and nonprofit sectors. Designed to be classroom friendly, it includes discussions of the most recent literature and case studies as well as end-of-chapter assignments and quizzes. Practical tips and advice are offered for those engaged in collective bargaining and labor relations.
History and Development
Introduction
Early American Unionism
Factors Contributing to Private Sector Union Decline
Unions in Government
Why Government Workers Join Unions—The Individual Perspective
The Unions Today
Introduction
The Federal Government
Nonprofit Organizations
State and Local Government
Prospects
Legal Environment of Public Sector Labor Relations
Introduction
Right to Form and Join Unions
Labor Relations in Federal Employment: The Legal Basis
Legal Basis of Labor Relations in State and Local Governments
Summary
Fundamentals of the Bargaining Process
Introduction
Public–Private Sector Differences
Electing a Union and Getting a Contract: The Elements of Collective Bargaining
Summary and Conclusions
Process and Politics of Public Sector Collective Bargaining
Introduction
Internal Process and Politics
External Politics
Internal Bargaining Processes: From Traditional to Interest-Based Bargaining
Ratification of the Contract
Interest-Based Bargaining’s Potential
Summary and Conclusions
Financial Impacts of Unions and Collective Bargaining
Introduction
Budget Making and Unions
Unions, Wages, and Benefits
Are Public Sector Workers Paid More Than Private
Comparing the Relative Effects of Unions in the Public and Private Sectors
Effects of Public Employee Unions on Compensation: Methodological Problems
Effects of Public Employee Unions on Compensation: A Review of the Findings
Responding to Public Sector Compensation Cost Increases
Productivity Bargaining (Gainsharing)
Conclusion
Union Impacts: Personnel Processes and Policies
Introduction
Merit Systems
Specific Impacts of Unions on Personnel Functions and Policies
Conclusion
Strike!
Introduction
A Strike by Any Other Name
Public Sector Strike Activity
The Right to Strike in Public Employment
Legislation Pertaining to Strikes
Public Policy and the Incidence of Strikes
Why Public Employees Strike
Strike Tactics
Conclusions and a Look Ahead
Resolving Impasses: Alternatives to the Strike
Introduction
Private Sector Experience
Impasse Resolution in Federal Employment
State and Local Government Impasse Procedures
Search for Flexibility
Uncertainty: Benefit or Bane?
Conclusion: The Benefits of Impasse Procedures
Living with the Contract
Introduction
Collective Bargaining Agreement
Grievance Procedures
Grievance Arbitration
Grievance Procedures in Federal Employment
New Directions in Grievance Handling
Conclusion
Public Employee Unions in the Future
Introduction
Decline of Private Sector Unions
Challenges for Public Employee Unions
Opportunities
Labor–Management Cooperation and Participative Decision Making
Public Employee Unions in the 2010s: Conclusion
Down but Not Out: The Case for Continuing the Good Fight
References
Index
Biography
Richard C Kearney, Patrice M Mareschal
