The Future of Public Sector Labor-Management Relations

Unionism in the US has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. Union membership overall has shrunk to historically low levels and has become increasingly concentrated in the public sector. The public employee unionization rate has eclipsed that of the private sector fourfold. Given that unionism is increasingly a public sector phenomenon, the future of unionism itself will be substantially affected by developments affecting government employees. This article reviews relevant contexts and trends affecting public sector labor-management relations. It reviews the current legal environment regarding public sector bargaining and unionization at the federal, postal, and nonconfederate levels of government. In addition, it examines trends in unionization, the central challenges confronting the public sector, and competing perspectives on the proprietary and utility of public sector unions.