HOW PUBLIC EMPLOYEE UNIONS WEAKEN GOVERNMENT: THE CASE OF NEW YORK CITY SCHOOLS

This article examines the relation between public employee unions and the capacity of local and state governments to execute public policy. It presents a case study on the resistance opposed by the United Federation of Teachers against the implementation of education policies in public schools of New York City that could affect their sectorial interests. Finally, it explains the way in which this complex political situation leads to a deterioration of the quality of education that, in turn, affects students.