You are a union representative for Teamsters Local 695 representing bus drivers, canning workers, police and firefighters, and truck drivers. An angry member calls the union hall because he has just learned the union has been paying for television ads supporting a presidential candidate he does not favor. What can you tell this union member about how union funding for political campaigns works and what can be done to address his concerns?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The member should first be advised that the Taft-Hartley Act prohibits unions from making donations directly to candidates for federal office. He should also be told that campaign finance laws prohibit the use of dues money to support union-sponsored political action committees. He should be advised that donations from the union to a specific candidate can only be made through PACs and that these need to be funded through voluntary donations. Finally, if the unionized worker objects to the spending of union funds on political activities such as television ads that express support for a particular political position (not candidate), the member may either resign his membership in the union or pay a reduced monthly fee that would include only the portion of union dues going to representation activities.