Argues that exclusive representation reduces public employees' freedom of choice, increases the welfare of union leaders at the expense of union members, limits employment opportunities of "outsiders," entrenches the monopoly provision of public services, and generates conflict and instability in labor relations. (Author/MLF)

Introduces the special section of this issue on the Public Employee Relations Act (Act 195) in Pennsylvania. (IRT)

In "Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority" (1985), the United States Supreme Court ruled that the Tenth Amendment does not preclude application of the federal minimum wage act and the Fair Labor Standards Act to state and local government employees. This paper explains "Garcia" history and implications for…

Reviews the literature on the effects of teacher strikes on students and reports the results of a study analyzing student achievement in the presence or absence of strikes. Students in schools not experiencing strikes showed consistent gains, especially in mathematics, over students in schools where strikes took place. (WD)

Historical evidence is presented for the thesis that exclusive union representation by majority rule was adopted in the private sector primarily to pave the way for a corporative state. Peaceful, orderly collective bargaining by "responsible" unions in a competitive economy was a minor, secondary consideration. (Author/MLF)

Discusses the advantages and problems connected with the implementation of pay boards to replace collective bargaining agreements on teacher salaries. (WD)

Any legitimate theory of employment rights must be founded on the premise that employment is a voluntary relationship governed by mutual consent; an employment right does not exist apart from contract. Analyzes the legal aspects of public sector employment. (Author/MLF)

Examines "Chicago Teachers Union v. Hudson," a United States Supreme Court decision guaranteeing non-union government workers specific protections of procedural due process that certain educational and teacher unions had failed to recognize. Decries the "Hudson" decision for separating labor law from laws governing the rest of…

The growth of unionism among teachers during the 1970s is attributed to exclusive representation. Considers the appropriateness of granting to a union the exclusive right to represent public employees. (MLF)

Argues against passage of a state bill that would make collective bargaining for teachers mandatory in Kentucky. Contends that collective bargaining is unpopular with the public, is too expensive, diminishes local control of education, and is detrimental to the educational process. (Author/WD)

Beginning with a historical review of the evolution of the superintendency in public education, this article focuses on mistakes made by superintendents in the early days of collective bargaining. Their attempts to act as intermediaries between boards and unions resulted in unions taking advantage of them to erode management prerogatives. (TE)

Public employers, including school districts, are faced with unionized workers' demanding a larger share of public resources. The formation of regional bargaining associations for employers to counteract union demands is proposed. A case study of a successful association is provided. (MD)

A public school teacher recounts her personal struggle against compulsory unionization in Michigan and describes the adverse effects of collective bargaining on public education. These include loss of public support, antagonism between teachers and administrators, and a decline in teacher professionalism and educational quality. (TE)

Reviews the way in which collective bargaining has eroded the prerogative of school boards in curriculum management and innovation. A persistent problem is that school boards need input from teachers on curriculum concerns, yet they must retain decision-making latitude by keeping curriculum issues out of bargaining contracts. (TE)

Argues that collective bargaining in the public sector poses insuperable obstacles to educational reform because of the combined effects of the time required for bargaining and mediation and the vested interests of teachers' unions in maintaining the status quo. Reform proposals have thus far failed to take account of the dynamics of collective…