Why Are Unions Bankrolling Candidates That Hate Them?

Labor PACs have given more than $534,000 this cycle to Republican backers of a major anti-union bill.

By Josh Israel and Evan Popp

Fifty years ago, about 29 percent of American workers were part of a union and the nation’s middle class received a record-high share of the overall national income. The tide has turned in recent years, however, and that union density figure has steadily declined?—?now hovering around 11 percent. Middle class share of the nation’s overall income is also at a near-record low.

Today, more than half of U.S. states are so-called “right-to-work,” meaning “closed shops”?—?where employees can be required to pay union dues?—?are prohibited. This makes it harder for unions to afford to operate and thus weakens them, part of what Roland Zullo, a research scientist at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy calls “a larger package to undermine worker power.”

“Right-to-work” laws have been proven to not only reduce the number of people who are part of a union, but also the average wages and benefits for workers in those states. Still, more states are considering their own right-to-work laws and scores of members of Congress want to see similar legislation enacted on a national level.

What’s more, they could soon have a champion in the White House. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said he is “100 percent” for these anti-union laws, as they give “great flexibility to the companies.” The 2016 election could be critical for determining the future of right-to-work and other anti-union policies?—?but some of the most fervent supporters of these measures are receiving financial help from a surprising source: labor union PACs.

Union officials say the hundreds of thousands of dollars in political action committee donations to these lawmakers since the start of 2015 come despite, rather than because of, their support for national anti-union legislation?—?but at least one labor expert warns that the unions might someday regret that spending. After Republican majorities in historically pro-labor states like Wisconsin and Michigan snuck through anti-labor legislation, it is entirely plausible that a GOP Congress and Trump White House could do the same on a national level.

‘Right To Work For Less’

Federal labor laws laws give states the power to ban “closed shops,” workplaces where only union members or those who pay the union an “agency” fee may work. Proponents of these state restrictions?—?generally corporate interests?—?call them “right-to-work” laws. Opponents call them “right to work for less.” If a state passes one, unions must bargain for every employee, even those who do not join or pay money.

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https://thinkprogress.org/labor-union-pac-donations-right-to-work-for-less-republicans-3a8fd6df1053#.icu6boixp