10.2190/P513-U1E9-4TK5-ER3F P513U1E94TK5ER3F 0 THE IMPACT OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT ON PUBLIC SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=P513U1E94TK5ER3F 1 DAVID A. DILTS, WILLIAM H. WALKER, AND CONSTANZA HAGMANN The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been the focus of substantial controversy concerning its effects on employment in the private sector. This article analyzes the likely effects of NAFTA on the thus-far-neglected area of collective bargaining in the public sector. The available evidence suggests that NAFTA will have a depressing effect on wages and may cause an increase in bargaining impasses. The evidence also suggests that the effects of NAFTA will be uneven across regions of the country.