Who are more pro-union? Democrats or Republicans? Why?

Question

I am really enjoying the huge diversity of comments. It seems that everyone agrees on dems being for unions, but why is where the diversity shows up.

Vanilla Troll...I don't agree completely. My hubby works for a concrete union, and is paid above the 100% level. The company pays their journeymen even more than what is required through union contract. If they are good, they will get paid more than what the agreement states.

My husband's union membership has helped our family immensely.

Again, I really appreciate all these opinions! Thank you!

Answer 1

I have been a lobbyist for the home building industry for 13 years, and made my living as a political professional for over 25. Other than the Teamsters endorsing George H.W. Bush in 1988, I can't think of any union supporting any mainstream Republican candidate -- other than the Teamsters again, but in that instance they were merely trading their endorsement of Nixon in '72 for his promise to pardon Jimmy Hoffa, which he did after the election.

Answer 2

The Democrats are more pro-union but only because they have an old history of supporting each other. They go way back plus the Democrats can get away with pandering to them. Its expected of them. The Republicans seem more pro-business although in actuality they are not. Republicans and Democrats are actually cut from the same cloth. They are both beholden to corporate interests and they are both dysfunctional. The things that make Republicans apear to be more pro-business actually only tend to help major corporations (read campaign contributors) and serve to hurt most small businesses which employ the majority of Americans. Small businesses actually tend to do better under Democratic administrations.

Unions are another matter. They have outlived their usefulness because they have become so corrupt that they are more self serving that helping their membership. While high union wages are great if you can get them, they have help make America uncompetitve in the world market. We cannot compete with cheap foreign labor but unions only seem to go for higher wages and more benefits. Those days have passed. Corporate greed is a reality and it will seek out the lowest wages. The lowest wages are not here. Sticking a windshield into a car on an assembly line should not pay $30 an hour - it should be more like $15. It is a skill but one that can be learned by anyone in a relatively short time. Millions could qualify to do that sort of task that should reduce its value to the marketplace but the unions have kept it artificially high. Great if you can get it but now we cannot compete and the jobs are going overseas. This will hurt us tremendously in the long run. The shortsighteness of the profits will in the end hurt both the corporations and the unions. The union bosses greed has been just as bad as the CEO's.

Answer 3

Democrats, because unions are the closet thing to socialism now functioning in the US.

Go to the CPUSA web site and see how they feel about unions and see the similarities between them and the Democratic party platform.

Unions write collective bargaining agreements based on the performance of the worst worker in their membership.
Those are the only ones who really need representation in an economy that has 4.5% unemployment and companies are competeing for good workers.
Consequently the best workers get an unfair portion of the work load and get paid the same as the dead beats.
Everyone is 'equal'. Right in line with Democratic party principles.

Answer 4

Democrats are pro-union...because one hand washes the other. The unions contribute gozillions of dollars to the dems, and the dems try to pass laws that benefit union workers

But there is another reason...more true that that. I worked in an electrical union for one year. While I was there, I noticed that every single journeyman electrician made the exact same amount of money, irregardless of effort, productivity, or actual time performing work. The idea that everyone makes the same amount equates to "fairness" for democrats.

I'm conservative, and I believe the best and most productive worker deserves to be paid more than the worst and least productive worker. It's part of our value system. Hard work and productivity should be rewarded.

Edit: I'm very sincerely happy that your husband gets paid more than other journeymen who do not perform as well. That wasn't my experience, mine was but one.

Answer 5

The Dems support unions more because union members tend to make up alot of their delegates. Teachers, nurses, and other professional unions including the AFL and CIA usually endorse the Democrats. The Republicans endorse shipping our middle class manufacturing jobs to China. In this way, the Republicans basically endorse slave wages and working conditions. They are also pretty much for themselves getting rich and no one else. The GOP is a union for the rich and powerful. They keep saying they are for competition but when it comes down to it, they really aren't. They are for keeping the status quo: The GOP on top and the rest of us at their feet. That's how they like it anyway.

Answer 6

Democrats. They suck up the unions as Republicans suck up the evangelicals. Clinton just got an endorsement of a big national union and this is important because they get money and many union members vote the same way. This guarantees them many votes.

Answer 7

It depends on the candidate really. Generally, democrats support people and therefore they support unions. Generally, republicans support rich people and businesses. A lot of rich people own businesses. I used to vote Republican but not anymore. I am voting instead for quality of life. I'm tired of seeing it go downhill. I'm with the people, all people.

Answer 8

The Democrats are more pro-union and the Republicans are mainly pro-business.

Answer 9

We wouldn't need unions except that corporations, by their nature, attempt to minimize variable costs such as employee wages in order to maximize shareholder returns. The shareholders, in turn, reward the thin layer of executives, who become wealthy.

Unions favor maximizing employee wages and are backed by the Democrats.

Republicans seek to set policies that favor shareholders and the wealthy.

Answer 10

It depends on the canidates... ie Hillary on the cover with it reading Why big buisnesses love her.. is not a good sign....

Most top tier canidates are endoresed by big corporations and they expect to get something in return...

You want someone for the unions try Dennis Kucinich or Ron Paul