Once we begin to decide which groups may speak out and which cannot, it becomes very difficult to stop the process. In order to protect free speech, we must protect it for all. Essential worker protections could be compromised. Because labor unions have been some of the primary supporters of occupational health and safety legislation and regulation, restricting their ability to speak out on these issues would open the door to serious rollbacks of worker protections These proposals are a solution in search of a problem. Unions are already subjected to stringent reporting requirements for all of their expenditures, and they are prohibited from making contributions with union dues to Federal campaigns and candidates, as well as many state-level campaigns.
Political participation is essential for a healthy democracy.
At a time when commentators are bemoaning the loss of citizen participation in the American political process, it seems quite counterproductive to erect further barriers to people who want their voices to be heard. Unions represent millions of people who are rarely able to make their positions known in the democratic process, and we cannot afford to lose their voices. As these proposals are in various stages in states throughout the country, we must remain critical of any measure that restricts the rights of unions to fully participate in the democratic process. By examining the implications that such policy has on not only the nonprofit sector but on democracy, we will ensure that all Americans are represented.