Hearing Exposes Union Leaders Putting Politics Over Workers Under Biden-era NLRB

Washington, D.C. — The Coalition to Protect American Workers (CPAW) commends the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions for holding today’s hearing on “Ensuring Union Leaders Represent Members, Not Agendas.” Witnesses detailed how union leadership under the Biden-era NLRB prioritized politics over workers’ interests. This was illustrated in testimony describing experiences of secrecy, misinformation, and intimidation within unionizing campaigns, emphasizing the urgent need for unions to focus on serving their members, not advancing partisan agendas.

“Transparency matters because it protects choice and fairness. Every worker deserves accurate information and a fair process,” said Michael Alcorn, an 11‑year Trader Joe’s crew member who worked at their first unionized store. “Those of us who asked questions or expressed doubts were labeled ‘anti-union’ or accused of being company sympathizers. In a workplace that had always been friendly and collaborative, this created tension and fear. A truly democratic organization shouldn’t silence dissent or shame people for asking for more information.”

CPAW urges policymakers to act on today’s lessons: restore worker choice through secret-ballot elections, protect due process, and ensure workers can hear from both employers and unions before making decisions that affect their livelihoods. Too many union leaders have turned member dues into a political war chest, functioning as an extension of the Democratic Party, instead of delivering value on wages, safety, and skills. Unions that truly serve members, not party machines, should welcome transparency, fair elections, and clear disclosure of how leaders are chosen and dues are spent.

Watch the full hearing here.