[EL] Disclosure of union membership lists

[Lillie Coney]

Unions are not a bad model for individual contributions to PACs or
political parties.

They elect their leadership there is so much transparency on
what is going on with contributions that it is general public knowledge
--that is if you are an election wonk. 

It took a lot of effort and focus to get unions to where they are today.
The history was not great when activity and money was secret. The 
additional benefit is union leaders do not deliver for their membership 
they are voted out of office.

In any case, the issue of transparency on large dollar donors that
can impact election outcomes is important.  Who pays and why?
Unions want favorable conditions for their members so that
labor rights (e.g. collective bargaining contract enforcement,
access to benefits if there is a layoff and employment safety laws 
are enforced).  

About a year ago over 20 people were killed on a drilling platform
in the Gulf because the regulatory process was so corrupt that
the conditions were dangerous and there was no oversight. So
when unions want to elect people who will enforce safety regulations
on job sites and hold someone accountable should people die
or are seriously injured it is the economy of democracy at its
fullest impact.  That does make them a valuable check
in the political discourse and their power to make Super Pacs
worry is a little comforting.  

One persons big money is another persons blessing.



On Jul 10, 2012, at 7:24 PM, David Adamany wrote:

> Until reading Sean Parnell's post, it had not occurred to me that the aggregate amount deducted from a single union member's dues for political purposes would reach the threshold for disclosure in federal law or in most state laws.   Unless they did, there would no warrant for disclosing those contributions to unions or union PACs.
>  
> I assume that the Chamber of Commerce and similar organizatons would not support contributions that do not reach the disclosure thresholds either.
>  
> David Adamany
> Laura Carnell Professor of Law
> and Political Science, and
> Chancellor
> 1810 Liacouras Walk, Ste 330
> Temple University
> Philadelphia, PA 19122
> (215) 204-9278
>  
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