But in Indianapolis, unionized city workers have won most of the bidding contests. Given the right conditions, these workers have shown they can make city services more efficient and effective. Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith has demonstrated that competition for city contracts is the key to greater efficiency and high quality. Contract-bidding is one form of privatization, which involves shifting functions, in whole or in part, from the government to the private sector. Privatization is no simple matter.
Pitfalls are many.
Governments considering it would do well to learn from the experience of those that have tried it. Many of our publications are available as PDF files. You will need Adobe Acrobat to read them. If you do not already have it you can download Adobe Acrobat for free . But far from folding under the pressure of competition, city workers often have held their own against private firms bidding against them, Goldsmith said during a recent visit to Seattle.