Question

President Franklin Roosevelt felt that there should not be public unions (unions made up of government workers), even though he was a very strong supporter of private unions. What do you think his reasons were for opposing public unions (e.g., teachers, police officers, military)? What do you think of his reasons?

Answer 1

The emergence of public sector unions (particularly when its combined with the transformation of the American economy over the years) produces a sharp divergence between public and private sector employments.

Public sector unions have weilded huge influence to gain perquisites for themselves in terms of higher wages, lower working hours, permanent employment, generous pension schemes etc. at the cost of the public. They have largerly distorted state spending priorities and made it more difficult to use the desired funds on innovative public goods which can be of benefit ti the citizens as a whole. Moreover, public sectoe unions are more likely to inhibit democratic decision making.

On the other hand, private sector employees make rigorous compwtition amongst themselves for higher wages. Unionizing public sector reduces the benefits to the private sector.