A Union-Approved Candidate
Here at Labor Pains, we often talk about the political clout of unions, how they funnel millions upon millions of dollars into elections, the vast majority of which goes to Democratic candidates. But it’s not often that a union makes a power play this blatant: A government studies teacher at Washington Irving High School in [more...]

Posted Tue, 31 Aug 2010 .

What They Are Really Thinking
The recent kerfuffle over the Los Angeles Times releasing scads of data on LA’s teachers has provided some interesting insights into how defenders of teachers unions think. The head of the LA teachers union, for example, said he was “outraged” that the Times would publish data revealing which teachers were effective and which teachers weren’t [more...]

Posted Mon, 30 Aug 2010 .

State Of The Unions

Union officials claim to represent workers' interests. The numbers tell a different story. Here are some vital statistics to keep in mind:

Finances and Membership
Total Union Members in 2005:	15.7 million
Total Union Assets in 2004:	$15.7 billion

Union Officials and Staff
Total Union Officials and Staff in 2004:	175,000+
Total Union Officials and Staff Compensation in 2004:	$3.7 billion

Number of Union Officials and Staff Making More Than $75,000 in 2004:	13,875

Political Activity
Total Union Political Action Committees Registered in the 2004 cycle:	368
Union PAC Money Spent on Political Candidates (2003-2004):	$84.8 million

Diversity
Major Unions with White Presidents:	94%
Major Unions with Male Presidents:	95%

Discrimination
EEOC Discrimination Charges Filed Against Unions since 2000:	13,815
Fines Paid Resulting From EEOC Charges:	$6 million

Crime, Corruption, and Violence
Recorded Incidents of Union Violence and Intimidation since 1975:	9,000 +

Union Racketeering Indictments since 2001:	1,142
Fines Paid Resulting from DOL Racketeering Investigations since 2001:	$400 million

NLRB Activity
Total Unfair Labor Practices Filed Against Unions since 2000:	43,365
Total NLRB Elections Lost by Unions in 2004:	1,272