Unions in California have embraced “social justice unionism,” which focuses primarily not on worker well-being but left-wing ideology. And the unions are aligning themselves with politicians who share the same far-left views.
Take SEIU Local 1021, headquartered in Oakland. With more than 60,000 members, the union claims to represent workers across Northern California. “But instead of fighting exclusively for better working conditions,” Seneca Scott writes, “the union increasingly focuses on things like ‘reproductive rights, climate justice, immigrants, Black Lives and gender equality.’” It has even supported local politicians’ campaigns, including contributing $235,000 to Oakland councilmember Carroll Fife, who has argued for defunding the police.
“By prioritizing left-wing ideology over workers’ interests,” Scott argues, “California unions have left many rank-and-file members feeling alienated, disempowered, and frustrated with leadership that appears more focused on ideological campaigns than on workplace representation.”
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