REINVENTING GOVERNMENT: A UNIONIST'S PERSPECTIVE OF PRODUCTIVITY BARGAINING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR

JEFFRY D. SALZMAN

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DOI: 10.2190/ANLK-6A64-U7DT-231A

Abstract

The fundamental dilemma of modern American politics is that the public wants government services but has lost confidence in the ability of the public sector to deliver those services efficiently. This is bringing increasing risk to public employees and their unions. Traditional and non-traditional adversarial strategies are practical only in very special circumstances. Productivity bargaining offers an attractive--although not self-sufficient--path for public unions to align themselves with prevailing labor market forces and recapture public confidence. Autonomous work arrangements offer a first step where parties can explore basic gain-sharing concepts. Significant achievements, however, are likely to require some exposure to risks in basic job security and compensation.

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