10.2190/CN.31.4.b 32J214Q65740345H 2 What Have Unions Got to Do With Reverse Privatization? 303 318 20080304 20080304 20080304 20080304 32J214Q65740345H.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=32J214Q65740345H 4 Cathy-Soleil Cyr-Racine Patrice Jalette School of Industrial Relations, Université de Montréal Anecdotal evidence shows that unions contribute to reverse privatization, but their role in the process is far from clear. The reverse privatization process, and unions' involvement and capacity to influence it, was extensively studied in four reverse privatization experiences in two Canadian municipalities. The experiences analyzed show that unions acted pragmatically, quite a different image from that depicted in the literature as a one-track-minded opponent of privatization. In all the experiences studied, internal knowledge regarding data collection and computing cost figures was a key union input in the reverse privatization process. These case studies show that public unions can definitely bring value added to the decision-making process regarding public service delivery by reducing local governments' expenses and preventing the waste of taxpayers' money.