Union-Busting

EPA Terminates Union Contracts Following Appellate Stays

2025-08-08 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 5/10

The EPA terminated all union contracts on August 8, 2025, immediately after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed a lower court injunction blocking Trump’s March executive order. EPA became the second federal agency (after VA) to cancel collective bargaining for its employees, affecting …

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AFGE Council 238 (8,000+ EPA workers) Justin Chen (AFGE Council 238 President) Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals NAGE, ESC, NAIL unions +1 more labor-suppression epa union-busting collective-bargaining appellate-stays +2 more

Starbucks Executes Systematic Union-Busting Campaign with Record NLRB Violations

2022-01-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

Following grassroots organizing success at Buffalo stores in late 2021, Starbucks launches a systematic illegal union-busting campaign that generates over 500 unfair labor practice charges—likely the largest number facing any company in the 90-year history of the National Labor Relations Board. The …

Starbucks Howard Schultz Starbucks Workers United National Labor Relations Board NLRB Administrative Law Judges labor-suppression union-busting starbucks nlrb illegal-retaliation +2 more

28 States Adopt Right-to-Work Laws, Documenting ALEC's Systematic Labor Suppression Success

2017-01-14 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 10/10

By early 2017, 28 U.S. states have right-to-work laws, with eight traditionally industrial and union-strong states adopting the legislation since 2010 using American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) model legislation: Indiana and Michigan (2012), Wisconsin (2015), West Virginia (2016), and …

American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Koch brothers Americans for Prosperity U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Association of Manufacturers +1 more labor-suppression alec right-to-work union-busting state-capture +4 more

Kentucky Becomes 27th Right-to-Work State in First Week of Session Using ALEC Model

2017-01-09 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The Kentucky Legislature passes House Bill 1, an ALEC-inspired right-to-work measure, making Kentucky the 27th right-to-work state just one week into the 2017 legislative session. Governor Matt Bevin signs the legislation swiftly, fulfilling what ALEC describes as “one of the most repeated …

Matt Bevin Kentucky Legislature American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Kentucky House Committee labor-suppression right-to-work alec kentucky union-busting +2 more

West Virginia Becomes 26th Right-to-Work State, Overriding Governor Veto with ALEC Model

2016-02-12 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The West Virginia Legislature overrides Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s veto of the “Workplace Freedom Act,” making West Virginia the 26th state to enact right-to-work legislation prohibiting mandatory union membership or fees. The override follows the coordinated Koch-backed playbook …

West Virginia Legislature Earl Ray Tomblin American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Koch Network State Policy Network +1 more labor-suppression right-to-work alec west-virginia union-busting +2 more

Oklahoma Governor Signs HB 1749 Banning State Payroll Deductions for Teachers Union Dues Despite Technical Flaws

2015-05-06 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 6/10

On May 6, 2015, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed House Bill 1749 into law, prohibiting state agencies from making payroll deductions for membership dues to public employee associations that engage in collective bargaining. The legislation, which took effect November 1, 2015, specifically …

Governor Mary Fallin Oklahoma Legislature Oklahoma Education Association American Federation of Teachers Oklahoma Representative Tom Newell +1 more union-busting teachers-unions alec labor-rights collective-bargaining +1 more

Wisconsin Becomes 25th Right-to-Work State, Completing ALEC's Union Destruction

2015-03-09 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 9/10

Governor Scott Walker signs private sector right-to-work legislation at an invitation-only ceremony at Badger Meter in Brown Deer, making Wisconsin the 25th right-to-work state and completing the systematic destruction of union power in the state. After Act 10 (2011) eliminated collective bargaining …

Scott Walker American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Scott Fitzgerald Robin Vos Wisconsin GOP labor-suppression alec right-to-work wisconsin union-busting +2 more

Michigan Passes Right-to-Work in Lame Duck Surprise Using Verbatim ALEC Language

2012-12-11 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 9/10

Governor Rick Snyder signs sweeping anti-union legislation making Michigan—the birthplace of the United Auto Workers and a union stronghold—the 24th right-to-work state. The Michigan House and Senate ram through bills HB 4003 (public sector) and HB 4054/SB 116 (private sector) during a lame duck …

Rick Snyder American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Mackinac Center Michigan GOP Koch brothers +3 more labor-suppression alec right-to-work michigan union-busting +3 more

Indiana Becomes 23rd Right-to-Work State Using ALEC Model Legislation

2012-02-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signs right-to-work legislation making Indiana the 23rd state and the first in the Rust Belt manufacturing region to prohibit mandatory union membership or fees as a condition of employment. The bill is sponsored by multiple ALEC members and follows ALEC’s model …

Mitch Daniels American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Indiana Republican Party National Right to Work Committee Koch brothers +1 more labor-suppression right-to-work alec model-legislation state-capture +3 more

Wisconsin Act 10 Crushes Public Sector Unions Using ALEC Model Legislation

2011-03-11 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 10/10

Governor Scott Walker signs Wisconsin Act 10, eliminating collective bargaining rights for most public employees and marking one of the most significant defeats for organized labor in modern American history. The legislation, introduced February 14, 2011, ends collective bargaining for everything …

Scott Walker American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Wisconsin GOP Koch brothers Americans for Prosperity +1 more labor-suppression alec union-busting wisconsin collective-bargaining +3 more

ALEC Coordinates Right-to-Work Push After 2010 GOP Midterm Wave

2010-12-03 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 9/10

Following the 2010 Tea Party midterm elections that gave Republicans control of 26 state legislatures (gaining 675 state legislative seats), the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) holds its States and Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., December 1-3, with the agenda focused on …

American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Scott Fitzgerald Koch brothers Americans for Prosperity Republican Party labor-suppression alec right-to-work union-busting state-capture +3 more

Bush Invokes Taft-Hartley Against Locked-Out Dockworkers, First Use Since 1971

2002-10-08 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

President George W. Bush obtains a federal court injunction under the Taft-Hartley Act on October 8, 2002, ordering West Coast dockworkers back to work after an employer lockout shuts 29 ports handling $300 billion in annual trade. The Pacific Maritime Association, representing shipping and terminal …

George W. Bush Pacific Maritime Association International Longshore and Warehouse Union U.S. District Court labor taft-hartley dockworkers lockout presidential-power +1 more

ALEC Adopts Paycheck Protection Act to Defund Democratic Party by Restricting Union Political Activity

1998-05-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Board of Directors approves the “Paycheck Protection Act” in May 1998, following unanimous endorsement by ALEC’s Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force. The model legislation prohibits employees in both public and …

American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Corporate donors (104 at $1M+) state Republican legislators Scott Walker labor-suppression alec union-busting campaign-finance political-activity +3 more

Beck Decision Enables Workers to Withhold Union Dues for Political Activity, Weakening Labor Resources

1988-06-29 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 7/10

The Supreme Court rules 5-3 in Communications Workers of America v. Beck that workers covered by union contracts can refuse to pay the portion of dues used for political activities, limiting their payments to collective bargaining costs only. The ruling, based on Taft-Hartley’s Section …

U.S. Supreme Court Communications Workers of America Harry Beck National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation labor supreme-court union-dues right-to-work union-busting +1 more

Hormel Strike Broken Through Permanent Replacement, Ending Pattern Bargaining in Meatpacking

1985-08-17 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

United Food and Commercial Workers Local P-9 workers at Hormel’s flagship Austin, Minnesota plant strike against wage cuts from $10.69 to $8.25 per hour, seeking to maintain the meatpacking industry’s traditional “pattern bargaining” where major companies matched union wage …

Hormel United Food and Commercial Workers Local P-9 Austin Minnesota workers National Guard labor-suppression strike-breaking permanent-replacement union-busting meatpacking +1 more

Greyhound Strike Ends in Permanent Replacement Victory, PATCO Pattern Spreads to Private Sector

1983-11-02 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 7/10

The Amalgamated Transit Union ends its 47-day strike against Greyhound Lines on November 2, 1983, after the company successfully operates with permanent replacement workers, demonstrating that Reagan’s PATCO strategy translates to the private sector. Greyhound CEO Fred Currey demanded 9.5 …

Greyhound Lines Amalgamated Transit Union Fred Currey labor strike permanent-replacement union-busting transportation +1 more

Phelps Dodge Breaks Copper Strike Using Permanent Replacement Workers, Destroying Union

1983-06-30 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

Over 2,000 copper miners strike against Phelps Dodge Corporation at its Morenci, Ajo, Douglas, and Bisbee operations in Arizona and El Paso refinery in Texas, seeking to maintain wages and benefits amid the company’s demand for concessions. Following Reagan’s PATCO precedent, Phelps …

Phelps Dodge Corporation United Steelworkers Arizona miners National Labor Relations Board labor-suppression strike-breaking permanent-replacement union-busting mining +1 more

J.P. Stevens Found Guilty of Massive NLRB Violations, Creates Corporate Union-Busting Playbook

1977-08-31 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals upholds the NLRB’s finding that J.P. Stevens & Company engaged in the “most flagrant and extensive violations” of labor law in the board’s history, confirming over 100 unfair labor practice findings against the textile giant. Stevens …

J.P. Stevens & Company Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union National Labor Relations Board Corporate Campaign Inc. labor union-busting nlrb textile-industry corporate-power +1 more

Indiana Passes Right-to-Work Law, So Unpopular It's Repealed Within Eight Years

1957-03-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 7/10

The Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly passes a right-to-work bill in March 1957 over the objections of Democrats, labor leaders, and workers, making Indiana one of the first northern industrial states to adopt such legislation. Time Magazine reports in its March 11, 1957 issue that …

Indiana General Assembly Republican Party Democratic Party Indiana labor unions National Right to Work Committee right-to-work labor-suppression state-legislation union-busting democratic-resistance

Communist Control Act Bans Party Members from Union Leadership, Weaponizing Anti-Communism Against Labor

1954-09-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

Congress passes the Communist Control Act of 1954, preventing members of the Communist Party from holding office in labor unions and other labor organizations. The legislation represents the culmination of systematic efforts to weaponize anti-communism against labor organizing, following the …

U.S. Congress Dwight Eisenhower House Un-American Activities Committee American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations labor-suppression mccarthyism anti-communism red-scare union-busting +1 more

Corporate Anti-Communist Network Coordinates Labor Suppression Through NAM, Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure

1950-01-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

A sophisticated anti-communist network coordinated by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Chamber of Commerce reaches peak effectiveness in suppressing labor organizing during the early Cold War. The Hagley Museum and Library’s NAM collection contains extensive materials from …

National Association of Manufacturers Chamber of Commerce American Legion J.B. Matthews Hearst Corporation +1 more anti-communism labor-suppression corporate-propaganda red-scare union-busting +1 more

CIO Expels United Electrical Workers and Farm Equipment Workers, Beginning Purge of Communist-Led Unions

1949-11-15 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 9/10

The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) holds its eleventh annual convention in Cleveland and expels two member unions, the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) and the Farm Equipment Workers, for alleged “disloyalty to the CIO” and support for the …

Congress of Industrial Organizations Philip Murray Walter Reuther United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers Farm Equipment Workers +1 more labor-suppression red-scare anti-communism union-busting mccarthyism +1 more

Anti-Communist Loyalty Oaths and Taft-Hartley Act Weaponized to Crush Labor Movement

1947-06-23 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

After World War II, as worker militancy swept the country, the right-wing struck back with the Taft-Hartley Act, passed by a Republican Congress over President Truman’s veto on June 23, 1947. The bill used the threat of communist subversion to justify rolling back advantages labor had gained …

Robert A. Taft Fred A. Hartley CIO AFL CPUSA labor-rights red-scare institutional-capture corporate-power union-busting

Operation Dixie Launched to Unionize the South, Met with Violent Corporate Resistance

1946-05-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The Congress of Industrial Organizations launches Operation Dixie in spring 1946, the most ambitious post-World War II campaign to unionize industry in the Southern United States, particularly targeting the textile industry across 12 Southern states. A permanent Southern Organizing Committee is …

Congress of Industrial Organizations Van Bittner George Baldanzi United Auto Workers United Electrical Workers +4 more labor-organizing operation-dixie cio corporate-violence racial-politics +2 more

National Association of Manufacturers Launches Massive Anti-Union Propaganda Campaign After Strike Wave

1946-01-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The National Association of Manufacturers launches a massive multi-faceted propaganda campaign in response to the unprecedented 1946 strike wave, when nearly 10 percent of the US workforce goes on strike including major actions by the United Auto Workers against General Motors, United Steel Workers …

National Association of Manufacturers National Industrial Information Council General Motors U.S. Steel General Electric +3 more propaganda labor-suppression corporate-lobbying nam union-busting +1 more

Smith-Connally Act Criminalizes Union Political Contributions, Spawns First PACs

1943-06-25 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

Congress overrides President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s veto to pass the Smith-Connally Act (War Labor Disputes Act), which prohibits unions from making contributions in federal elections and empowers the federal government to seize industries threatened by strikes. The legislation is hurriedly …

Howard W. Smith Tom Connally Franklin D. Roosevelt Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers +1 more labor-suppression campaign-finance political-action-committees union-busting congressional-action +1 more

Battle of the Overpass - Ford Motor Company Thugs Brutally Attack UAW Organizers in Planned Assault at River Rouge

1937-05-26 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

On May 26, 1937, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Ford Motor Company orchestrates a brutal assault on United Auto Workers organizers conducting a permitted leaflet distribution campaign at the Miller Road pedestrian overpass above Gate 4 of the massive River Rouge Plant complex in Dearborn, Michigan. UAW …

Ford Motor Company Harry Bennett Ford Service Department United Auto Workers Walter Reuther +3 more labor-rights corporate-violence uaw ford union-busting +2 more

Mohawk Valley Formula Exposed as Corporate Blueprint for Breaking Unions and Evading Wagner Act

1936-09-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The La Follette Civil Liberties Committee exposes and names the “Mohawk Valley Formula” in 1936-1937, documenting a systematic corporate strategy for breaking strikes and defeating union organizing campaigns that James Rand Jr., president of Remington Rand, developed during the 1936 …

Remington Rand James Rand Jr. National Association of Manufacturers La Follette Committee corporate management union-busting corporate-resistance labor-suppression propaganda wagner-act +1 more

La Follette Civil Liberties Committee Begins Investigation Exposing Corporate Union-Busting and Industrial Espionage

1936-06-06 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The Senate Subcommittee on Education and Labor, chaired by Senator Robert M. La Follette Jr. of Wisconsin, begins hearings on June 6, 1936, launching a four-year investigation that systematically exposes the violent and illegal tactics American corporations use to suppress union organizing. The La …

Robert La Follette Jr. U.S. Senate Pinkerton Detective Agency Burns Detective Agency Republic Steel +3 more labor-rights corporate-surveillance union-busting congressional-investigation private-security

Supreme Court Loewe v. Lawlor Decision Holds Union Members Personally Liable for Damages

1908-02-03 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The U.S. Supreme Court rules unanimously 9-0 in Loewe v. Lawlor (the “Danbury Hatters’ Case”) that the Sherman Antitrust Act applies to labor unions and that individual union members can be held personally liable for damages caused by union boycotts. Chief Justice Melville W. …

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller United Hatters of North America D.E. Loewe & Company Martin Lawlor +1 more labor-suppression gilded-age supreme-court antitrust-misuse judicial-capture +1 more

Homestead Strike Battle Between Workers and Pinkerton Agents Leaves 10 Dead

1892-07-06 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 9/10

Three hundred Pinkerton Detective Agency agents attempt to forcibly seize Andrew Carnegie’s Homestead steel mill in Pennsylvania, triggering a 14-hour armed battle with locked-out steelworkers that leaves seven workers and three Pinkertons dead, with dozens more wounded. The violent …

Andrew Carnegie Henry Clay Frick Pinkerton Detective Agency Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers Pennsylvania National Guard +1 more labor-suppression gilded-age homestead-strike private-security corporate-violence +1 more

Pinkerton Detective Agency Operates as Private Corporate Army Against Unions

1892-01-01 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The Pinkerton National Detective Agency operates throughout the Gilded Age as a private corporate army deployed against labor organizing, providing armed guards, infiltration agents, and strikebreaking services to employers seeking to crush unions through surveillance, espionage, and violence. …

Pinkerton National Detective Agency Allan Pinkerton Corporate employers State governments Labor unions gilded-age labor-suppression private-security corporate-violence union-busting +1 more