Right to strike for government employee

[MaxManus]

Why doesn't the government employee in USA have the right to strike when other employees in the usa have the right?

 

[russ_watters]

I don't think that's true. What makes you think so?

 

[MaxManus]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_federal_employees_strike
No, per 5 USC 7311, An individual may not accept or hold a position in the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia if he- (1) advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government; (2) is a member of an organization that he knows advocates the overthrow of our constitutional form of government; (3) participates in a strike, or asserts the right to strike, against the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia; or (4) is a member of an organization of employees of the Government of the United States or of individuals employed by the government of the District of Columbia that he knows asserts the right to strike against the Government of the United States or the government of the District of Columbia.

 

[Office_Shredder]

I never knew this. I always thought that Reagan firing the FAA controllers was on the basis of something like 'safety related jobs aren't allowed to strike', not such a broad overarching rule

 

[enosis_]

Why doesn't the government employee in USA have the right to strike when other employees in the usa have the right?

I would think public safety would be the first concern. I've often wondered why Government employees need union representation? Doesn't the Government typically follow labor laws?

 

[russ_watters]

I misunderstood the OP: didn't realize you meant federal government only.

In either case, insofar as a "strike" is just a bunch of people walking off a job, as a practical matter it can't really be outlawed. However, at the same time if you don't show up for work, your boss can just fire you, like Reagan did. Not sure that it really mattered that what the FAA workers did violated a law.

I always thought that Reagan firing the FAA controllers was on the basis of something like 'safety related jobs aren't allowed to strike'...

How 'bout: "you annoy me: you're fired!"?

 

[MarneMath]

I would think public safety would be the first concern. I've often wondered why Government employees need union representation? Doesn't the Government typically follow labor laws?

From my experience, the union has mostly functioned as a lobbying group. Since we can't strike or argue over pay, they use the fact they represent a little over a quarter million employees as their bargaining chip. As to how effective this is for us, I have no idea.

 

[enosis_]

From my experience, the union has mostly functioned as a lobbying group. Since we can't strike or argue over pay, they use the fact they represent a little over a quarter million employees as their bargaining chip. As to how effective this is for us, I have no idea.

I thought there were more Government union employees than 250,000? Don't the postal union (AFL-CIO) members number nearly that many?

http://www.unionfacts.com/union/American_Postal_Workers

 

[MaxManus]

I misunderstood the OP: didn't realize you meant federal government
In either case, insofar as a "strike" is just a bunch of people walking off a job, as a practical matter it can't really be outlawed. However, at the same time if you don't show up for work, your boss can just fire you, like Reagan did.

Yes but that is an argument against strikes in general, the question is why federal employees can't strike.

 

[MaxManus]

I would think public safety would be the first concern. I've often wondered why Government employees need union representation? Doesn't the Government typically follow labor laws?

Not sure what you mean with public safety, is it more important for the safety a washington bureaucrat does not strike than doctors? The government employees doesn't need striking as in we need water to survide but striking power helps to increase wages.

 

[enosis_]

Not sure what you mean with public safety, is it more important for the safety a washington bureaucrat does not strike than doctors? The government employees doesn't need striking as in we need water to survide but striking power helps to increase wages.

Are doctors unionized?

 

[enosis_]

Not sure what you mean with public safety, is it more important for the safety a washington bureaucrat does not strike than doctors? The government employees doesn't need striking as in we need water to survide but striking power helps to increase wages.

Wouldn't a walk out of Government workers cause the Government not to function?