It's disrespectful to call these bureaucratic fiefdoms and the petty potentates who lead them Unions. Bureaucratic mafia, grifters, political manipulators, shakedown artists... not unions.
A related problem, one we certainly see in universities is "producer capture" whereby unions seek to conrol the institutions that employ them. Teachers unions have also mostly achieved producer capture, requiring every public school teacher to become a member of the union.
While schools and universities have limited competition from private institutions, as does the postal service, most government agencies and crown corporations hold a monopoly position. Industrial unionism could win rights for its workers because a strike could hobble a company in a competitive environment. At the same time, unions had to be careful that a strike did not prove fatal to the company that paid them. Government unions have no such worry.
very timely & well argued, JW. I don't think many people are aware of the contradictions you bring forward. It seems to me the cancerous growth of government is the foundation of this and many other similar problems. The economic weight/cost of having become the largest employer and the regulator of EVERYTHING to its own bureaucratically defined standards, has become as problematic as the voraciousness of the capitalist system. Serving the public-what a quaint idea!
Is there a clear policy or framework that defines the optimal size of the public service?
How does the current size of Canada’s public service compare to other countries with similar economies and governance structures?
What percentage of the federal or provincial budgets are allocated to public service salaries and benefits, and how has this changed over time?
Is there a regular audit or accountability mechanism to assess the productivity and value delivered by public servants relative to their cost?
What checks and balances exist to prevent bureaucratic expansion beyond what is necessary?
About Public Sector Unions:
What is the proportion of unionized workers in the public sector compared to the private sector, and how has this changed over time?
Do public sector unions wield disproportionate influence on government policy due to their ability to negotiate with the very entities they fund through taxes?
Is there a conflict of interest when public sector unions campaign for political candidates who will later negotiate their contracts?
How transparent are public sector union negotiations, and are taxpayers sufficiently represented in these discussions?
Are the benefits and job security of public sector workers sustainable in the long term without burdening taxpayers?
About Limits to Bureaucracy:
Is there any constitutional or legislative limit to the size of government in Canada?
What mechanisms exist to ensure the public service adapts to technological efficiencies and automation, rather than simply growing?
Are there sunset clauses or reviews for government programs to determine if they should be downsized or eliminated?
What metrics are used to assess whether a government position or department remains necessary over time?
Has the government conducted studies on the economic impact of the growing proportion of workers employed by the public sector?
About Productivity and Accountability:
How does the productivity of public sector employees compare to private sector employees in similar roles?
What mechanisms ensure that public servants are held accountable for inefficiency or poor performance?
Are there incentives for innovation and cost savings within public sector departments, or does the system reward status quo operations?
Does Canada have a clear policy on outsourcing services that can be done more efficiently by the private sector?
What reforms, if any, have been proposed or implemented to right-size public services in light of modern needs?
Broader Implications:
What percentage of Canada’s workforce is employed by the government, and how does this affect economic dynamism and private sector growth?
Are public sector workers becoming a new aristocracy, as they enjoy job security and benefits unavailable to most private sector workers?
How do the interests of public sector unions align—or conflict—with the broader public interest?
What role does the public sector play in contributing to—or mitigating—Canada’s rising debt-to-GDP ratio?
Does the growth of public service risk centralizing too much power and reducing democratic responsiveness?
These questions can help frame a discussion around whether Canada’s public service and its associated unions are operating in the best interests of the country as a whole or if they have grown too powerful and self-serving.
A related problem, one we certainly see in universities is "producer capture" whereby unions seek to conrol the institutions that employ them. Teachers unions have also mostly achieved producer capture, requiring every public school teacher to become a member of the union.
While schools and universities have limited competition from private institutions, as does the postal service, most government agencies and crown corporations hold a monopoly position. Industrial unionism could win rights for its workers because a strike could hobble a company in a competitive environment. At the same time, unions had to be careful that a strike did not prove fatal to the company that paid them. Government unions have no such worry.
An excellent insight and important additional point to this discussion. We really do have a lot to talk about.
very timely & well argued, JW. I don't think many people are aware of the contradictions you bring forward. It seems to me the cancerous growth of government is the foundation of this and many other similar problems. The economic weight/cost of having become the largest employer and the regulator of EVERYTHING to its own bureaucratically defined standards, has become as problematic as the voraciousness of the capitalist system. Serving the public-what a quaint idea!
It starts with questions.
About the Size and Growth of Bureaucracy:
Is there a clear policy or framework that defines the optimal size of the public service?
How does the current size of Canada’s public service compare to other countries with similar economies and governance structures?
What percentage of the federal or provincial budgets are allocated to public service salaries and benefits, and how has this changed over time?
Is there a regular audit or accountability mechanism to assess the productivity and value delivered by public servants relative to their cost?
What checks and balances exist to prevent bureaucratic expansion beyond what is necessary?
About Public Sector Unions:
What is the proportion of unionized workers in the public sector compared to the private sector, and how has this changed over time?
Do public sector unions wield disproportionate influence on government policy due to their ability to negotiate with the very entities they fund through taxes?
Is there a conflict of interest when public sector unions campaign for political candidates who will later negotiate their contracts?
How transparent are public sector union negotiations, and are taxpayers sufficiently represented in these discussions?
Are the benefits and job security of public sector workers sustainable in the long term without burdening taxpayers?
About Limits to Bureaucracy:
Is there any constitutional or legislative limit to the size of government in Canada?
What mechanisms exist to ensure the public service adapts to technological efficiencies and automation, rather than simply growing?
Are there sunset clauses or reviews for government programs to determine if they should be downsized or eliminated?
What metrics are used to assess whether a government position or department remains necessary over time?
Has the government conducted studies on the economic impact of the growing proportion of workers employed by the public sector?
About Productivity and Accountability:
How does the productivity of public sector employees compare to private sector employees in similar roles?
What mechanisms ensure that public servants are held accountable for inefficiency or poor performance?
Are there incentives for innovation and cost savings within public sector departments, or does the system reward status quo operations?
Does Canada have a clear policy on outsourcing services that can be done more efficiently by the private sector?
What reforms, if any, have been proposed or implemented to right-size public services in light of modern needs?
Broader Implications:
What percentage of Canada’s workforce is employed by the government, and how does this affect economic dynamism and private sector growth?
Are public sector workers becoming a new aristocracy, as they enjoy job security and benefits unavailable to most private sector workers?
How do the interests of public sector unions align—or conflict—with the broader public interest?
What role does the public sector play in contributing to—or mitigating—Canada’s rising debt-to-GDP ratio?
Does the growth of public service risk centralizing too much power and reducing democratic responsiveness?
These questions can help frame a discussion around whether Canada’s public service and its associated unions are operating in the best interests of the country as a whole or if they have grown too powerful and self-serving.
all good observations & questions that need answers, but, if Amazon was unionized...no level playing field is, in a sense, the only problem.