Amendment One: Union Power, Politics, and the Future of Illinois Labor

Disunion: The Government Union Report’s David R. Osborne hosts Miley Smith, Senior Director of Labor Policy at the Illinois Policy Institute to discuss the impact of Illinois’ Amendment One – which grants a fundamental right to unionize and expands bargaining rights. Amendment One is unique in its scope and has led to legislative staffers attempting to unionize, despite historical prohibitions. Smith highlights the amendment’s potential to override state laws and its implications for collective bargaining, including the right to strike. Additionally, Smith addresses the diversion of union dues to political contributions in swing states, which may conflict with the political preferences of Illinois government workers.