History of Industrial Relations in UK Local Government: The Making of the Good Employer

The book "The History of Industrial Relations in UK Local Government" fills a gap in research on the impact of neo-liberal economic policies on public service employment relations, particularly in local government. It presents an empirical study of the UK Local Government Employers Organization (LGEO) since 1991, embedded in an historical account of the sector since the 1880s. The book makes key contributions to employment relations research, extends it to a broader social science framework, and develops an interdisciplinary approach. It argues that an interdisciplinary approach is essential to understanding the politics of public service reform and will be of interest to scholars, students, HR practitioners, local authority councillors, and public policy-makers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Public sector organizations are significant employers delivering labor-intensive services that are constantly under public and media scrutiny. Over the past three decades, reforming public services has been a top priority on the political agenda across Europe and internationally. Despite this, the impact of neo-liberal economic policies on public service employment relations remains relatively understudied, particularly in the context of local government employment relations.

The History of Industrial Relations in UK Local Government aims to address this gap by presenting an original empirical study of the changing role of the UK Local Government Employers Organization (LGEO) since 1991. Conducted within a broader social science framework and embedded in an historical account of the sector since the 1880s, the book offers a comprehensive analysis of the LGEO's evolution and its implications for public service employment relations.

One of the book's key contributions is its filling of a significant gap in the field of employment relations research. By linking employment relations research to a broader social science framework, the book extends the scope of inquiry and provides a more holistic understanding of the complex dynamics that shape public service employment relationships. Moreover, the book adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on political economy, public administration, politics, and employment relations, to analyze the politics of public service reform.

The book argues that an interdisciplinary approach is essential to understanding the politics of public service reform. It explores how economic policies, political ideologies, and institutional structures interact to shape the employment conditions and rights of public servants. It also examines the role of trade unions, employer organizations, and government agencies in negotiating and implementing public service reforms.

The book will be of interest to scholars and students of employment relations, institutional analysis, labor history, public administration, and political economy. It will also be a valuable resource for HR practitioners, local authority councillors, and policymakers interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with public service reform.

In conclusion, The History of Industrial Relations in UK Local Government is a groundbreaking work that contributes significantly to our understanding of the changing role of public sector employers and the politics of public service reform. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach and providing a comprehensive analysis of the LGEO's evolution, the book offers valuable insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138926431