Labor Relations in the Public Sector, Fourth Edition

Book excerpt: That we are participants in a global economy may no longer be news, but its impact continues to shape the field of labor relations. This is certainly true in the public sector where union membership is stagnant and outsourcing is becoming more and more prevalent. Further impacting current trends are local and state movements to restructure public organizations and the processes they use to conduct their activities and provide services. These include the mechanisms of collective bargaining and contract administration. Reflecting these and many other trends and changes, this fourth edition of the perennially bestselling Labor Relations in the Public Sector is now completely updated. The fundamental reader-friendly organization of the book remains the same, and it continues to address the many facets that must be considered today, as unions still represent 40 percent of public sector workers. However in keeping up with the formative events of recent times, this text— Accounts for emerging trends in scholarly and professional literature as well as in practice Features several new case studies that provide readers with experiential learning opportunities across a range of contemporary situations Places greater emphasis on ways to develop and use interest-based ("win–win") negotiations during bargaining processes and throughout the administration of contracts This volume recognizes the key role played by unions in the federal government and in a large proportion of state and local jurisdictions, but it also recognizes that much is changing. Fiscal realities and strategic challenges are changing the role of the labor union in the public sector. This is a trend that must be understood if its consequences are to be anticipated and met for the mutual good.