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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 4 page paper examines Martin Shefter's book and focuses on points about coalitions. Information about unionism is included. No bibliography .
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: RT13_SA319Sh1.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
the 1975 fiscal crisis was the decision by all municipal unions to bargain as a coalition. In fact, the author contends that union leaders were actually unified in coalition
bargaining. It seemed to be a good thing. One would think it would make them stronger because there is strength in numbers. However, that was not really the case.
Shefter (1992) argues that coalition bargaining weakened the unions; union leaders would make concessions and not be criticized by their own members because they lacked control. In other words, union
leaders could blame failure on the coalition as a whole and not take the blame for not getting everything that the union members wanted. Still, there was a sense that
all union employees were in it together when a coalition was formed. The author does not say that coalitions are entirely negative. Shefter however also suggests that there might
be conditions in the future that would splinter the notion of coalition bargaining by the citys unions. One can surmise that the force and effectiveness of the process would come
under question when it is discovered that it is not very effective. While the city perhaps gets a bonus for only having to negotiate once for a number of job
categories and the magnitude of the coalition gives the city more power, it is an idea that may not continue to be effective for either the city or the unions.
First, before exploring coalitions specifically, it pays to look at unionization in general. Unions have a long history in America and is seen as important to the health and well
being of the average worker. That said, many believe that the age of the union is gone and they are no longer powerful, but Shefter (1992) seems to suggest that
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