Illustration of labor union influence on political views.

Do Unions Really Shift Political Views at Work? The Surprising Answer Might Change How You See Labor

Samir D’Costa in Politics & Policy September 2025 • 3 min read.

"New research reveals how unions impact political alignment in the workplace, affecting both workers and management in unexpected ways."

Labor unions have long been recognized for their role in shaping economic outcomes through collective bargaining. However, their influence extends far beyond wages and benefits. Unions actively participate in political activities, seeking to shape policies and systems. A recent study delves into the intriguing question of whether unions can also influence the political ideologies of individuals within the workplace.

The study explores whether unionization can shift the political views of both unionizing workers and non-unionizing management. In workplaces with a union presence, the dynamics of political mobilization and ideological change can be significant. Understanding these shifts is crucial for grasping the full impact of labor unions on society.

Researchers analyzed data from the United States spanning from 1980 to 2016 to determine the workplace-level impact of unionization on political campaign contributions. By linking union election data with detailed campaign contribution records, the study uncovers surprising patterns of political alignment.

Unions: Catalysts for a Leftward Shift?

Illustration of labor union influence on political views.

The study's findings reveal that unionization leads to a notable leftward shift in political campaign contributions. Union presence in a workplace increases support for Democratic candidates relative to Republican candidates. This shift is observed not only among workers but also among managers, suggesting that unionization fosters political alignment between these two groups.

This conclusion stems from a rigorous analysis using a difference-in-differences design, validated through regression discontinuity tests and instrumental variable approaches. The researchers linked establishment-level union election data with transaction-level campaign contributions to federal and local candidates.

Key findings include: Increased support for Democrats among both workers and managers Political mobilization of workers in response to successful union campaigns Shift in workers’ ideological positions towards the political left

Importantly, the observed changes were not driven by compositional changes in the workforce. The effects were more pronounced in establishments where employers and unions agreed on a collective bargaining agreement post-certification. These results indicate that unionization can foster a convergence of political views within the workplace.

Implications and Further Research

These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the political dynamics within the workplace and the broader role of labor unions in shaping societal views. By fostering political alignment between workers and managers, unions may play a more significant role in political discourse than previously understood. Further research is needed to explore how managers form beliefs about unionization and the long-term implications of these ideological shifts.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2209.02637,

Title: Do Unions Shape Political Ideologies At Work?

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Johannes Matzat, Aiko Schmeißer

Published: 06-09-2022

Everything You Need To Know

How do labor unions influence political views in the workplace?

Labor unions influence political views in the workplace by increasing support for Democratic candidates, as revealed by the study analyzing data from 1980 to 2016. This shift is observed among both workers and managers, indicating that unionization fosters political alignment. The research linked union election data with campaign contribution records to uncover this pattern. Political mobilization of workers occurs in response to successful union campaigns, which can shift workers’ ideological positions towards the political left. The study highlights that these changes are not driven by compositional changes in the workforce but are more pronounced in establishments where employers and unions have reached a collective bargaining agreement after certification.

Can unionization affect the political views of managers?

Yes, unionization can indeed shift the political views of managers. The study found that the presence of a union in the workplace leads to a leftward shift in political campaign contributions, not just among workers but also among managers. This suggests that unions can foster political alignment between workers and management. This is a surprising finding, as it challenges the conventional understanding of labor relations and the political views of management. The impact of unionization is more pronounced when employers and unions have agreed on a collective bargaining agreement post-certification.

What methods did the study use to determine the impact of unions on political alignment?

The study used a rigorous approach to determine the impact of unions on political alignment. Researchers analyzed data from the United States, spanning from 1980 to 2016, specifically focusing on workplace-level impacts of unionization on political campaign contributions. They linked union election data with detailed campaign contribution records. The analysis utilized a difference-in-differences design, which was validated through regression discontinuity tests and instrumental variable approaches. These methods helped uncover the patterns of political alignment and allowed researchers to draw conclusions about the influence of labor unions on political ideologies within the workplace.

Why is it important to understand how unions shape political views?

Understanding how unions shape political views is crucial because it offers a deeper understanding of the political dynamics within the workplace and the broader role of labor unions in society. Unions are often recognized for their role in economic outcomes through collective bargaining, but their influence extends beyond wages and benefits. By fostering political alignment between workers and managers, unions may play a more significant role in political discourse than previously understood. The study's findings challenge the conventional wisdom about labor relations and highlight the unexpected ways unions influence political ideologies. This knowledge can help stakeholders better understand the multifaceted impact of unions and their role in shaping societal views.

What are the key findings regarding union impact on political contributions?

The key findings from the study reveal that unionization leads to a significant leftward shift in political campaign contributions. Specifically, the presence of a union increases support for Democratic candidates among both workers and managers. This political alignment is not due to compositional changes in the workforce but is more pronounced in workplaces where collective bargaining agreements are reached post-certification. The research also noted political mobilization of workers in response to successful union campaigns, and a shift in workers’ ideological positions toward the political left.