Introduction
In recent discussions, a critical perspective has emerged regarding the Republican Party’s anti-labor policies. While these criticisms are warranted, attention must also be directed to the other side of the political spectrum. The disconnect between union leadership and the workers they represent is increasingly apparent, especially amidst an ongoing crackdown on labor rights.
Conor here: The following piece effectively outlines the failings of the GOP’s anti-labor agenda. It’s true that Republicans have not supported working-class interests.
My deeper curiosity lies in the actions of those on the left, particularly union leaders who align closely with an establishment that often seems antagonistic to workers. Many unions find themselves out of touch with their members and are failing to meet their responsibilities during a time when the government refers to anti-capitalist sentiments as “terrorism.” A vigorous labor movement would be pushing back against such threats, disrupting the status quo, yet we see the same lackluster rhetoric persist.
If you missed the 30th Convention of the American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) in Minneapolis last month, you’re not alone. The event garnered little attention, even as the prospect of re-establishing a robust labor movement grows increasingly urgent. Union leaders appeared more focused on taking extended breaks than on mobilizing against the rising tide of authoritarianism.
Consider the troubling reality of union membership, which now hovers around ten percent in the overall workforce and plummets to approximately five percent in the private sector. Furthermore, the global agenda championed by Trump and many Democrats continues to threaten labor rights, exacerbating the impact of oppressive capitalism. In this context, Chris Townsend, a long-time union member and leader at the International Workers Institute, sheds light on the AFL-CIO’s troubling trajectory:
The most shocking element at the Convention was “Constitutional Amendment Number 1.” Initially promoted discreetly among Executive Council leaders before being pushed through with little consultation from delegates, this amendment delays the next AFL-CIO convention until 2031—a full five years. Given the pressing attacks on workers and unions, postponing the next assembly for such an extensive period represents a grave dereliction of duty and a betrayal of worker interests.
While presented as a routine administrative measure to standardize Convention dates, extending the meeting interval in such perilous conditions is astonishing. This decision hints at something far more sinister, as democratic procedures within a Federation already lacking transparency continue to be undermined, benefiting those who were recently “re-elected” in what many perceive to be a sham election process. The Convention, being the Federation’s highest authority, faces no scrutiny of its recent decisions until 2031. This allows the virtually unknown members of the Executive Council to maintain control from behind closed doors. Shuler’s leadership will likely lead to continued stagnation, disillusionment, and an increasing subservience to the Democratic Party…
The AFL-CIO is nearing a point of complete irrelevance as a driving force for progress. Unfortunately, the leadership chose to set forth such an uninspiring strategy at a time demanding urgent action.
By Roxanne D. Brown, the international president of the United Steelworkers Union (USW), an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. This article was originally published by the Independent Media Institute.
In 2017, Missouri’s Republican lawmakers enacted legislation catering to corporate interests, effectively sabotaging workers’ rights to organize for better conditions.
This backlash from working people culminated in a notable movement in 2018, leading to a citizen-driven referendum that overturned this regressive law, thanks to the determination of United Steelworkers (USW) and other activists.
In light of this setback, one might expect a change in attitude from the corporate-aligned legislators. It would seem logical for them to reevaluate their positions following such a decisive public rebuke.
However, instead of retreating, they have doubled down, attempting to alter the existing structure to make it significantly more challenging for citizens to initiate referendums. They propose raising the threshold for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments, requiring a majority in every congressional district rather than across the state, thus allowing a small dissenting group to thwart the will of the majority.
This systematic undermining of the referendum process stifles citizens’ voices, making it clear that this is merely another tactic employed by anti-worker lawmakers nationwide. Their message is simple: Keep silent or risk being silenced.
It is essential to remember that the right to petition and seek redress from the government includes gathering signatures for ballot initiatives, thus giving citizens a chance to influence policy directly when their elected representatives fail to act in their best interests.
Missouri Republicans remain resentful over the 2018 repeal of their so-called “right-to-work” law, designed to erode worker power and strengthen corporate dominance.
The USW and allied organizations gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures—vastly exceeding the required amount—to force a referendum to challenge this anti-worker legislation. Our activists mobilized effectively, conducting grassroots outreach that drove voters to the polls and successfully repealed the law before it could be implemented.
The momentum did not stop there. Encouraged by this victory, union members and activists advanced other pivotal referendums, including one in 2024 advocating for paid sick leave—an essential measure for Missouri workers needing to care for themselves and their loved ones.
This advocacy infuriated Republican legislators, who promptly rescinded the paid sick leave requirement, arrogantly asserting that they knew better than the electorate.
Through these obstructive tactics, the same lawmakers aim to silence the voices of the people while consolidating their power. This serves only to further an agenda that profits the wealthy while working families struggle to survive.
Moreover, Republicans in other states are similarly attacking direct democracy. Here are some notable cases:
- In Oklahoma, after voters approved a referendum to expand Medicaid, the Republican legislature and governor retaliated in 2025 with a law making it more difficult to gather signatures for future ballot initiatives. This change restricts supporters to collecting a limited number of signatures in each county, effectively silencing millions of voters statewide.
- Republicans in South Dakota enacted a 2025 law to shorten the signature-gathering period, complicating the process for citizens and attempting to eliminate as many ballot initiatives as possible. For 2026, they are poised to raise the threshold for passing constitutional amendments to 60 percent of votes cast, rather than the simple majority currently needed.
- In Florida, Republican lawmakers have gone to great lengths to suppress voter initiatives, implementing astronomical fees for “validating” collected signatures. This exorbitant requirement effectively undermines many initiatives right from the start, as intended.
USW members and our allies remain steadfast in combating these assaults on our rights.
In Missouri, Republicans can only enforce their restrictive changes if voters approve them—in a referendum scheduled for August.
USW activists are actively engaging with voters to inform them of the stakes involved, generating the necessary turnout to defeat this harmful proposal.
This battle is not isolated. A federal court in Arkansas recently sided with voters challenging absurd restrictions on ballot initiatives, while USW members in Ohio successfully thwarted lawmakers who attempted to limit referendum options a few years ago.
Eventually, anti-worker lawmakers will realize that silencing voters is not an option. Their efforts to stifle our voices will only strengthen our resolve.
Conclusion
The struggle for labor rights and democracy is far from over. As lawmakers continue to undermine the mechanisms that empower voters, workers must remain vigilant and unified. Through activism and engagement, we can counter these challenges and reclaim our rights. The future depends on our collective efforts to foster a genuinely democratic society.
