What Wisconsin says about labor unions' clout in America

Here are seven questions the Wisconsin union protest raised about the role of unions in the US.

6. What role does politics play in the Wisconsin fight?

Ann Hermes / The Christian Science Monitor
Emily Weber, left, and Cynthia Kessel, right, hold signs at the rally outside of the State Capitol building in Madison, Wisconsin on March 12.

Walker says it was all about fiscal prudence, but it’s hard for most to believe partisan factors weren’t at play.

Unions are major political contributors, almost exclusively to Democrats. Unions spent more than $200 million on efforts to get Democrats elected in last year’s midterms. One recent analysis by the Wisconsin State Journal found that over the last six election cycles, unions have contributed $7 million in the state, 93 percent of which has gone to Democrats.

“There’s no question that the political impact of this would be to sharply reduce the campaign contributions that state unions make overwhelmingly to Democratic candidates,” says Franklin. “It would also severely weaken the get-out-the vote efforts that unions are so critical to.”

6 of 7
You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us