Is high public sector unionization a problem for the labour movement?

Abstract

Public sector unionization is often discussed in terms of its consequences for the general public, for example, the loss of public services during work stoppages. Relatively little is said about the impact of public sector unionization on the labour movement itself. This article argues that discussions about the fundamental right of public servants to strike have played their course. Greater attention should be paid to the potential impact that high levels of public sector unionization could have on the labour movement’s ability to stay relevant to workers in the broader economy.