In a Delphi study of the strength of the American Federation of Government Employees union at a U.S. government hospital, two rounds of questionnaires were sent to 33 union officials, management officials, and nonofficials. Strong union leadership and management deficiencies in employee relations emerged as the primary factors in the effectiveness…

Government employment statistics indicate that the number of federal labor relations specialists declined 7% from 1991-2000; the proportion of women in the field grew from 42.2% to 50.9%; and the pay gap narrowed. The number of women in upper management rose 18% between 1991 and 1998. (Contains 31 references.) (SK)

A cooperative effort by a teacher's union and administrators in a vocational-technical system in Connecticut sought to reduce the instance and impact of student conflict. Techniques included peer mediation, problem solving, and a conflict- resolution curriculum. (JOW)

Provides a brief history of public employee organizations and examines major methods used by such groups to establish their legitimacy. Focuses on the way this legitimacy impacts organizational authority structures. (Author)

Discusses five critical imperatives for public managers confronted with the rising expectations of public employees for participation in decisions affecting their employment. (Available from Public Personnel Management, Room 240, 1313 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637; $15.00 annually) (Author/JG)

Discusses recent developments in public sector unionism and argues that collective bargaining for supervisors is workable and politically feasible. Presents results of a national survey of collective bargaining laws and unions among public school administrators and supervisors, and examines the possible direction of future federal legislation.…

Discusses the various postures assumed by state and federal courts in deciding cases affecting public employee labor relations policy. Examines how the courts' role and the labor policy promulgated by their decisions have shifted and evolved over the years. (Author/JG)

Placing Florida in the context of national developments, this article examines the quality circle (QC) form, problems encountered with it, and approaches used to address these difficulties. It analyzes QCs in the state's public sector and discusses the implications for QC programs. (98 references) (Author/JOW)

Consists of five articles summarizing research in personnel administration during the past 25 years. Topics discussed include (1) the changing environment of the public personnel function; (2) human assessment; (3) human development, careers, supervision and discipline; (4) public service labor-management relations; and (5) compensation, benefits,…

Reviews recent Supreme Court decisions involving or affecting public employees, including cases related to dismissal of untenured employees, free speech rights of public employees, union rights, and equal employment opportunity. (Author/JG)