Report: Benefits of Bargaining: How Public Sector Negotiations Improve Ohio Communities

According to a recent report from Policy Matters Ohio, while compensation and job security often grab all the attention, public sector unions also negotiate for provisions that directly benefit the communities they serve. For example:

• Firefighters and police agreements outline minimum numbers of on-duty personnel to ensure rapid response times; negotiate for improved training protocols and equipment; and set up joint management committees to address issues that arise between contract negotiations.

• Teachers’ unions bargain to improve classroom conditions that help teachers and students alike, ranging from smaller class sizes, more developed discipline plans, expansion of school curricula, and improved teacher evaluations.

• Nurses bargain for minimum staffing at hospitals to ensure reasonable nurse-patient ratios and promote adequate rest between shifts for workers – which translates into better patient care.

Read the complete report from Policy Matters Ohio »