Aggression,Peaceful Co-Existence,Mutual Cooperation—It's up to Us

The City of Phoenix has received a lot of attention for its efficiencies, particularly those achieved through contracting. In this revealing article, two senior managers with responsibility for labor-management relations and human resources describe the city's evolution from an aggressive labor relations posture, to a much more satisfying and productive relationship that relies more on cooperation. They tell us that, contrary to popular opinion about Phoenix and contracting, much of this city's success is attributable to the contributions coming from the cooperative, service-focused relationship between management and labor. The combination of a focus on service efficiencies with a productive labor relations environment, including employment security, they tell us, is far more powerful than simply focusing on efficiencies that can be produced in the private sector. In fact, as they have shifted their approach to integrate cooperation, participation and service quality, the city has been more cost effective than private competitors. As this article tells us, the city, working with its employees, has taken back the significant work it once contracted out. For those intrigued by management competition, the message conveyed in this article should be closely read.