THE ETHICAL STANDARDS CLAUSE - A LESSON FROM THE PRIVATE-SECTOR FOR THE PUBLIC-SECTOR

Increasing fiscal pressures on public sector employers have intensifie d the need for new cost efficiencies. At the same time, mistrust and a ntagonism between public employers and their unions continue to play a significant role in public expenditures. The cost of arbitrating grie vances which could have been settled at lower levels is illustrative. Borrowing from a private sector example, this article discusses the in clusion of an ''ethical standards'' clause in public sector collective bargaining agreements as a novel approach to cost reduction. The arti cle describes the advantages and potential disadvantages of such a cla use, and urges public sector employers and unions to consider whether they should negotiate one to fit their particular needs.