The past as Prologue?

Abstract

Of the approximately 20 million public employees in the United States, more than eight million are either members of or represented by labor unions—a penetration rate of just over 40 percent. What is remarkable about this phenomenal growth is that most of the expansion of union activity in government has occurred within the last 40 years, and almost mirrors the decline of union strength in the private sector.

The rise and fall of labor in the private sector is a backdrop to the growth of public sector collective bargaining. Explanations for the dramatic increase in government union activity can be explored from a number of different perspectives. Current public policy efforts to reform civil service and allow managers greater flexibility are seen by some researchers as having the potential to impact the ability of public sector unions to represent their members effectively.

The recent split within the AFL-CIO may also have consequences affecting public sector union activity. Costly and self defeating jurisdictional disputes can arise and subsequently lead to a decline in membership strength. On the other hand, increased competition can serve to reinvigorate the entire labor movement in much the same way that the original split between the AFL and CIO resulted in massive private sector organizing efforts and dramatic, if temporary membership gains.