ILPC 2027

Public sector unions around the world are facing crises of legitimacy and threats from political forces, the financial crisis, and austerity measures. This research examines the recent turbulence in public sector labor relations in the U.S. at the state and local levels. The post-recession assault on public sector unions in the U.S. is rooted in political ideology, especially a widening polarization along the liberal-conservative spectrum, cultural cognition, and the economic downturn. The retrenchment of collective bargaining rights directly affects the security and stability of wages and benefits, and the work of public employees. It has broader implications for democracy, social and economic well-being, and the balance of power between management and workers.

This paper traces the emergence of public sector unions in the U.S. Next it examines the ways in which the socioeconomic environment, political culture, and labor relations policy have shaped public sector unionization. Quantitative scores on Citizen Political Ideology and union density, and qualitative data from the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) are used to demonstrate changes in public sector union strength over time. The conclusion discusses ongoing challenges for organized labor, the implications for democracy, social and economic well-being, and the balance of power between management and workers.