Is it true that the Unions can use members dues to contribute to politicians the union member does not like?

Question

That seems unamerican, that you might have to join the Union to have the job, then they can turn around and donate part of your Union dues to candidates - usually democrats - that you would not support or vote for. Does that happen?

OK - So the union gives money to the democratic candidate. What if the union member is for providing a choice of where their kids will go to school, but the democrats block vouchers, because the democrats need the teachers union camapign contributions. Can you see the problem here? The union member should be able to opt out of supporting candidates whose policies they find harmful/objectionable.

Answer 1

From a Craft Union Perspective:

Where dues are spent is reported to members - it's the law. Many unions have separate funds for political actions that you CHOOSE to contribute to - dues aren't a part of it. Members actually have more of a voice as to where their dues go than taxpayers have over where their tax dollars go. Dues allotment is one of the issues members vote on. Members get sent a list to prioritize and then vote on the breakdown.

While many Blue Collar Workers tend to have some pretty conservative PERSONAL beliefs; we tend to vote for our paycheck.

Republicans tend to be pro-big business which is the antithesis of the working man's interests. Don't forget one of the biggest Anti-Union/Working Man presidents was Reagan (Rep); we sure haven't.

Answer 2

Technically, the union member can refuse to have a portion of their dues used for political purposes. The problem is that this amounts to a shell game. If the union uses all of YOUR dues for no political purposes, they will just use that much more of the next members dues for political purposes.

Someone said some union members don't realize that the candidates the union supports work to support the unions goals. This makes the often false assumption that the unions goals are in the best interest of the workers.

Answer 3

First off you don't have to join a union if you want to work a job, for example if you want to join the teamsters and make union wages then you have to join them, but you don't have to you can drive a truck without being a teamster but you will probably work for lower wages. Unions donate to the politicians which they believe represent there interests the best which mean they represent the working people. Unions do one thing they try to get living wages for there workers yet so many people get down on unions for this do they really think that companies have there best interests at heart why do you think unions started in the first place. The republicans hate unions because they represent the middle class and the republicans represent the rich which are the people unions fight against for wages for there members.

Answer 4

Union dues do not go directly to any given candidate for federal office. Like corporations, unions can't contribute to federal candidates.

Unions can, however, form political action committees and lobby with union dues. However, a union member (or a member of a similarly mandatory organization like a state bar) has the right to object to the use of his/her dues for political purposes.

As noted in previous answers, the reason that unions support particularly candidates is that it furthers the goals of the unions. Unfortunately, there are some union members who fail to realize how much the union has contributed to their high income and begrudge having to belong to unions.

Answer 5

i think of turning out to be a member of a union could desire to be a decision. That being reported i think of it should additionally be a decision given to one and all which is employed someplace. What approximately each and all the employers that isn't enable unions? They pay very LOW wages and grant no or little well being look after their workers. maximum states grant no risk-free practices and the federal government grants not something in case you're dealt with unfairly via your enterprise- i don't comprehend what the others are referring too? this is stated as "fired at will" and that they're going to hearth you in case you even propose a union! Nursing residences are the main important offenders i comprehend of- oftentimes no pay for beyond conventional time and particularly much no advantages for his or her underpaid and very understaffed workers. a number of those luxury assisted livings make tens of millions! the vast firms ARE in the back of THIS MESS!

Answer 6

If you want to look at the gun barrel first, then yes.

But realistically, this point of view is a Rush Limbaugh anti- union slam.

Think rationally for a moment. Unions have hundreds of thousands of members. The union's job is to contribute to the candidate who will benefit the union.

The radio hacks like to bring up this micropoints like abortion etc. to attempt to splinter the union (and get you to call in so they can "log" your call and boast about their "large audience").

So if a candidate does not support the union... the union will not support him/her. Everything else is just thrown at us to confuse the issue.

Answer 7

Yes, they will give the money to the candidate they think is more pro-union.

Answer 8

Sure it happens all the time. I know it's a movie but have you seen "Head of State" with Chris Rock? In it the Teamsters gave him their vote (which means their money). This is yet another reason why unions are not good.

Answer 9

Yes, just as corporations can (and do) make campaign contributions to candidates many of their stockholders may detest...

Answer 10

It's not exactly true. It was, and then people complained, so now you have the option of specifying that your funds do not go to politicians. I am a teacher and chose that option.