Unions have traditionally been allied with the Democratic Party while actively opposing Republican candidates. In recent years, however, some Republicans have taken the view that the way to reach the working class is through big labor bosses. Unfortunately, this outreach is a one-way street, and unions remain hostile to Republican policy, candidates and the President’s agenda.
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Today, unions are banking on garnering enough Republican support to pass an anti-business Faster Labor Contracts Act. That legislation would strip workers of their right to vote on the terms and conditions of their employment if an agreement can’t be locked down over a few months. The legislation gives government bureaucrats the power to force workers and employers into union contracts while further expanding the size and power of the federal government. The legislation could also force workers and employers to adopt DEI programs, block immigration enforcement, and impose transgender policies. Given the long history of union leadership opposing Republican candidates and the Trump Agenda, it makes zero sense for Republicans to support legislation that would give even more power and money to union bosses.
If you need more evidence of Big Labor’s hostility to President Donald J. Trump, look no further than all the litigation labor has instigated to block the Trump Agenda. They opposed reducing the size of the federal government, reductions in government spending, and efforts to reorganize government to make agencies more efficient. Labor opposes dismantling of the Department of Education and opposes the executive branch asserting more control over agencies within the Article II branch of government. Furthermore, unions have opposed ending collective bargaining for certain federal employees and ending unionization of TSA employees. In short, they have opposed every effort by the Trump Administration to save taxpayer money and streamline government.
Unions pretend to be emerging supporters of some Republicans, yet according to public records, unions contribute overwhelmingly to Democrats. According to Open Secrets, in 2023-2024, labor gave roughly $9 million to Republicans and $67 million to Democrats. The trend continues. As of late July, in House seats held by Democrats rated as toss-ups, unions have given more than $1.2 million to Democrats and just $999 to Republicans. Based on FEC-reported contributions from labor-affiliated PACs to candidates in House toss-up races, Democrats received more than $1.8 million, compared with less than $440,000 for Republicans — roughly a 4.1-1 advantage. Making this discrepancy worse, according to the Cook Political Report 14 of those toss-up seats are held by Republicans and just four by Democrats. On average, the Republicans have received just $31,000 each from unions while Democrats received $450,000 each. That does not seem very pro-Republican.
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Senate support by union leaders is also a testament that unions are not the friend of Republicans. Based on a review of FEC-reported contributions from labor-affiliated PACs to candidates in the six Senate races Cook Political Report rates as toss-ups, Democrats received about $640,000, compared with about $139,000 for Republicans — roughly a 4.6-1 advantage. In the North Carolina Senate race, 100% of union contributions have gone to Democrat Roy Cooper. In Michigan, 100% of union contributions have gone to Democrat candidates. In the Georgia Senate race, union contributions to Democrat Jon Ossoff outweigh contributions to Republicans by 6-1. In the Ohio Senate race, union contributions to Democrat Sherrod Brown outweigh contributions to Republican Senator John Husted by 7-1. In the 2024 election cycle, the top 10 unions gave $22,331,665 to Democrats and just $1,378,412 to Republicans.
So if Republicans believe that support for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA) will translate into a shift of Big Labor support from Democrats to Republicans, they are delusional. Unions poured money to oppose Republican efforts in redistricting. They also overwhelmingly endorse Democrats for Senate and the House over Republicans. It is not rational to believe that all of a sudden, unions are going to see the light that Republicans are their new allies. Furthermore, they will throw just enough support to the Republicans who supported the FCLA to get this bill across the finish line.
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