"...The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for administrative officials to represent fully or to bind the employer in mutual discussions with Government employee organizations. The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives in Congress. Accordingly, administrative officials and employees alike are governed and guided, and in many instances restricted, by laws which establish policies, procedures, or rules in personnel matters."

-FDR Letter on the Resolution of Federation of Federal Employees Against Strikes in Federal Service

I think we've seen this play out in how public unions now dominate policy discussions putting the public good as an often secondary consideration.