City Unions: Managing Discontent in New York City

by Mark H. Maier

This concise history of New York City municipal unions makes a persuasive case that union leadership in NYC has often behaved like a junior partner in the management structure by conceding to City demands (oftentimes over the protest of the membership); by excluding the rank and file from decision-making; by doing management's job of enforcing workplace discipline; and by undermining and marginalizing militants within the ranks.

Genres: Labor

221 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1987

Reviews

[Shaun Richman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall analysis of the power dynamics within city unions and between the unions and management is largely correct, but a lot of his history is superficial and occasionally wrong. Frustratingly, the most interesting tidbits of "behind closed doors" interactions are footnoted "interviews." Thanks, dude.

[Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This concise history of New York City municipal unions makes a persuasive case that union leadership in NYC has often behaved like a junior partner in the management structure by conceding to City demands (oftentimes over the protest of the membership); by excluding the rank and file from decision-making; by doing management's job of enforcing workplace discipline; and by undermining and marginalizing militants within the ranks.