Public Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2023–24 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions enjoy a host of special legal privileges in Pennsylvania, which allow their executives to exert undue influence over Pennsylvania’s public policy process. Government union bosses use…
Backgrounder
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in Pennsylvania’s 2023–24 Election CyclePublic Union Democracy
The Battle for Worker Freedom: Grading State Public Sector Labor Laws
Key Findings The four largest government unions—American Federation of Teachers (AFT), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Education Association (NEA), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU)—lost…
Executive Summary
Read More: The Battle for Worker Freedom: Grading State Public Sector Labor LawsPublic Union Democracy
Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election Cycle
Key Points Government unions are a top interest group in Pennsylvania, spending more than $190 million on politics since 2007. Government union political action committee (PAC) spending continues to increase,…
Backgrounder
Read More: Government Union Political Spending in the 2021–22 Election CyclePublic Union Democracy
Pennsylvania Government Union Dues Used for Politics
Since 2007, Pennsylvania government unions spent $62.7 million from membership dues on “Political Activities & Lobbying.” Including national affiliates the total reaches $342 million during the 2016 election cycle alone. Here…
Commentary
Read More: Pennsylvania Government Union Dues Used for PoliticsGovernment Accountability
Government Unions’ Political Power Grows
Despite claims that union dues aren’t used for politics, the amount Pennsylvania’s five largest government unions reported spending from union dues on “political activities and lobbying” increased in…
Media
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Government Unions’ Political Spending
Currently, state and local governments, including school districts, use taxpayer-funded payroll systems and public employee time to collect union campaign contributions to candidates as well as union membership dues, a…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Government Unions’ Political SpendingGovernment Accountability
Government Unions’ Unfair Political Privilege
Taxpayer resources should not be used for any political purposes. Every citizen and every organization—including government unions—should have an equal opportunity to engage in policy debates through a level playing field for…
Fact Sheet
Read More: Government Unions’ Unfair Political PrivilegePublic Union Democracy
Big Bucks for Government Union Bosses
Union bosses frequently criticize corporate CEOs and government leaders for supposedly taking home hefty pay at workers’ expense. Just this week, protesters picketed House Majority Whip Stan Saylor’s office…
Media
Read More: Big Bucks for Government Union BossesGovernment Accountability
Pennsylvania’s Government Unions
Pennsylvania is a forced union state, meaning that workers can be forced to join a union or pay a "fair share fee" just to keep their job. Most government units…
Fact Sheet
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