The public sector unions

This week we look ahead to a looming battle. Public-sector unions are
far stronger than those in the private sector, and they have stood in
the way of the productivity improvements essential to delivering better
public services more cheaply. But now that governments are short of
cash, they are going to impose greater flexibility, longer hours and
less generous benefits on their workers. Clashes are therefore likely
all over the rich world; and the outcome of these struggles will
determine not just how well public services work, but also whether
economies flourish

The public sector unions
http://news.economist.com/cgi-bin1/DM/t/eCUia0cLBql0Mo0NTPK0EW

Here are some other pieces from this week's issue you might also be
interested in. You can click straight through to each one and read it
online at The Economist online using the links below.

John Micklethwait
Editor in Chief

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