Determining the Scope of Negotiations under Public Employment Relations Statutes

Chapter 22 Public-sector labor markets

“…Some state constitutions require that state governments operate balanced budgets, while others do not. Finally, some states have agency shop provisions in their public sector bargaining laws that require public employees to join the union representing them or pay the equivalent of dues, while other states explicitly prohibit such provisions (Hanslowe, et al (1978)). Surely these laws should all be expected to influence public sector union bargaining power and hence the level of wages.…”