ABSTRACT
Collective bargaining in the public sector is rooted in constitutional guarantees of free speech, freedom of assembly, and due process. This places public sector labor unions at the intersection of work, public policy, and public values. Public sector unions represent the voice of their members at the workplace. Beyond the workplace, public sector unions represent the voice of their members, clientele, and supporters in policy-making processes. Although governments in the United States resisted public sector workers’ early attempts to form and join unions, public sector unions eventually gained strength and recognition. Since the 1960s, public sector unions have played a critical role in government. This entry traces the development of public sector unions, examines the legal framework for collective bargaining in the public sector, and discusses the threats to the public sector labor movement and the implications for society.
