Are Unions and Democrats Still Happy Together?

[Purveyor]

Apr 6, 2015 2:34 PM EDT
By Jeanne Cummings

Unions may be weaker, smaller and more embattled, but they remain crucial players in Democratic politics. When wealthy Republicans began pouring millions into super-PACs in 2010, unions worked to shield Democratic candidates from the onslaught, becoming their biggest source of super-PAC donations.

What is that loyalty worth? With President Barack Obama and Congress negotiating fast-track legislation on international trade, union leaders are about to find out.

Renewal of the president's "fast-track" authority would limit congressional influence over trade pacts negotiated by the administration, protecting trade agreements from being filibustered or amended.

The conflict over fast track is fundamental. Organized labor wants to kill the legislation. Obama wants to sign it. The rough outlines of the bill would enable Congress to make its preferences known and receive updates while trade negotiations are under way in exchange for a clean vote -- no amendments -- on a final trade agreement.

Even as the White House pushes for fast track, it is negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an agreement to facilitate trade among the U.S., Australia, Japan and other Pacific Rim nations. Japan insists on fast-track's approval before finalizing a deal.

more...

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-04-06/do-unions-still-have-juice-with-democrats-

[Gothmog]

1. Even in a right to work state like Texas, unions are a critical part of the base

My county party works with the local unions on a host of programs and we make sure that we use union shops for all of our printing and similar services

[merrily]

5. Yet, the 2012 Democratic National Convention was held in a right to work state.

[vi5]

2. Like all traditional democratic constituencies....

They're told "Where else are you gonna go?"

And like the rest of us, they believe it and keep coming back.

[merrily]

6. +1. I made a post along those lines recently. Unions are in the LOTE bind also.

However, there is now a Working Families Party. While it usually endorses the Democratic nominee, it has, on occasion, even endorsed a Republican (though not yet for President).

[Romeo.lima333]

3. unions ought to join together form a workers party and start running their own candiates

maybe then the dems will recognize unions

[WillTwain]

7. It is like an arranged marriage - no love, just put together by outside forces.

[guillaumeb]

8. if by unions you mean union leadership

the leadership recognizes that the Democrats are preferable to the GOP on most issues. And polling shows that the majority of the members agree. Working class union members vote Democratic at much higher rates than non-unionized working class people. Especially white, working class people.

But even though Democrats are preferable, the two corporate parties are not too far apart when it comes to trade deals, workers rights, and the law as it relates to workers. Not too surprising when bribery of politicians is called free speech and when tax policy overwhelmingly favors the rich and encourages/enables massive wealth accumulation.

A vicious circle of corruption and mutually beneficial deals between the 1% and politicians.

[Bluenorthwest]

9. Union members can tell which posters commenting about Unions are not in a Union.

Just wanted to say that. It's glaringly obvious, to the point that people might as well just cop to it at top of each post.