Mass. unions protest new limits proposed for political donations

By Matt Stout GLOBE STAFF  MARCH 06, 2019

Labor unions and political organizers on Tuesday urged the state’s top financial regulator to reverse a proposal that would rein in how much money unions can donate to their preferred candidates, arguing it’s “unfair” and could tip the scales of influence.

But that line of reasoning, threaded through testimony to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, met immediate headwinds: Michael Sullivan, the office’s director, told critics that his job isn’t to “level the playing field” but to clarify the law, signaling the arguments will do little to shape the final regulations due later this spring.

Democrats seek union protections
Legislators push bill to counter labor ruling
By Christian M. Wade Statehouse Reporter Feb 24, 2019

BOSTON — Democrats are seeking to ease the blow to the state's labor unions from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited collection of dues and fees from workers’ paychecks.

More than 100 state lawmakers — all Democrats — have signed onto legislation that would allow unions to represent nonmembers for grievances and other work-related negotiations, and to charge workers for those costs. The measure would also give organized labor representatives access to new hires and non-union members in state and local government to speak with them about joining a union.

The States Where the Minority Party Has
Major Legislative Clout

Republicans hold a small fraction of seats in two Democratic states, but they enjoy outsized power.