IDRL 308 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Aggregate Demand, Fiscal Policy, Unilateralism
31 Jul 2018
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Document Summary
Governments utilize the power of the state to shape the content of bargaining with public sector workers. The relative bargaining power of the public sector unions was eroded. Neo liberalism spurred the drive for increased efficiency. Public sector employment relationships are becoming unbalanced, with efficiency interests assuming primacy over equity and voice interests. There is a rise in government unilateralism and less emphasis on consultation and collective bargaining. Back to work legislation bringing a legal end to a strike/lockout. Permanently restricting the right to strike for some workers. By arguing they are protecting the interests of taxpayers. They also state the interference is due to the exceptional circumstances of the present situation. While they have remained strong, their bargaining power has been eroded. They have failed to develop concerted pushback against such measures as back to work legislation, although they have recently witnessed some success in courts through legal challenges.
