M7D1: Resolving Impasses in the Public Sector
No unread replies. No replies.
Image of a group of business people discussing documents and ideas
This discussion will help you understand the ways in which disputes between unions and management are resolved in the public sector.
In your initial post please address the following:
The right to strike is limited in the public sector. Why? Do you think public employees should have the same right to strike that federal law gives to private-sector employees? Why or why not?
Once you have posted your response, you must also read through your classmates’ posts. From the responses choose some that you find interesting and respond substantively to them. You are also responsible for responding to students who post comments regarding your initial posts. The goal is to create a dialog among the class.
See the Course Calendar for due dates for posts and responses.
Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on “Reply.” Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click “Post Reply.”
To respond to a peer, click “Reply” beneath her or his post and continue as with an initial post.
Evaluation
This discussion will be graded using the discussion board rubric. Please review this rubric, located on the Rubrics page within the Start Here module of the course, prior to beginning your work to ensure your participation meets the criteria in place for this discussion. All discussions combined are worth 20% of your final course grade.
M7D2: Future of Public Sector Unions
No unread replies. No replies.
Image of justice statue with scale
In this discussion, we will assess issues specific to the public sector and will discuss similarities/differences among the issues concerning labor relations in the public and private sectors.
In your initial post please address the following:
Based on what you have read in this chapter and other authoritative sources, what do you see as the key issues facing labor relations in the public sector? Are the issues similar or different from ones facing the private sector? Explain why the issues you identified are critical ones.
Once you have posted your response, you must also read through your classmates’ posts. From the responses choose some that you find interesting and respond substantively to them. You are also responsible for responding to students who post comments regarding your initial posts. The goal is to create a dialog among the class.
See the Course Calendar for due dates for posts and responses.
Consult the Discussion Posting Guide for information about writing your discussion posts. It is recommended that you write your post in a document first. Check your work and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. When you are ready to make your initial post, click on “Reply.” Then copy/paste the text into the message field, and click “Post Reply.”
To respond to a peer, click “Reply” beneath her or his post and continue as with an initial post.
Evaluation
This discussion will be graded using the discussion board rubric. Please review this rubric, located on the Rubrics page within the Start Here module of the course, prior to beginning your work to ensure your participation meets the criteria in place for this discussion. All discussions combined are worth 20% of your final course grade.
Expert Answer
Resolving Impasses in the Public Sector
The Right to Strike in the Public Sector
The right to strike is limited in the public sector for a number of reasons. First, the doctrine of sovereignty makes any strike by public employees a significant threat to governmental authority as it can be disruptive to the normal operations of the government. According to the doctrine, it is only the state that has the power to determine the terms of employment in the public sector (Gibson, 2000). Therefore, employee strikes and bargaining fails to recognize the authority of the state. Second, when public workers strike, the strike conflicts with the rights of the citizens – the right of citizens to receive services that are paid for through taxes. A strike by public sector employees also endangers the welfare and health of the citizens (Gibson, 2000), especially in cases such as when employees working in services that are very important such as police protection and health go on a strike. I think that public sector employees should not be given an equal right to strike as is given to private-sector employees since their services are very important to the general public and the operations of the state. However, their grievances should be promptly addressed through labor unions.
References
Gibson, M. (2000). Public employees’ right to strike. In P. Tittle (Ed.), Ethical issues in business: Enquiries, cases, and readings (pp. 275-282). Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview Press.