Political Theory Project

Franklin D. Roosevelt once commented, “All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service.” Despite FDR’s beliefs, John F. Kennedy granted public union employees collective bargaining rights via executive order in 1962. Recently, the debate has resurfaced as the Wisconsin state legislature passed a bill to restrict the collective bargaining rights of most public sector union employees. In light of current events, should public unions have the right to collectively bargain?