Conservative union workersvote against own interests

I read with interest the recent guest column by Alice Rogers, “Conservative workers should look to unions for voice.”

As a 47-year-union member myself (IBEW), I could not agree more with her description of the many benefits that union membership offers. What I find curious is that my union sister identifies herself as a conservative.

When I started out in the electrical trade all those years ago, I didn’t know conservative from liberal, and I had no idea how to vote. I even voted for (super) Republican Ronald Reagan, the first time. Then he decertified the National Air Traffic Controllers Union, basically destroying their union.

After that I would study articles concerning working people and found that if it was a benefit or helped working families, Republicans lawmakers voted against it and Democrats voted for it. (Scott Walker: Republican or Democrat?)

Rogers refers to the “self-serving special interests” in the Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association case who would make it harder for working people to have a voice. Who do you think they are? They are the Republicans, who conservatives vote for! Please read Dana Milbank in the Jan. 15 Olympian. He explains very clearly who these special interests are.

Please consider which political party best represents your interests. The electrical workers union has no “conservative caucus”, the very idea is almost unthinkable. Also, please read “What’s the Matter With Kansas” by Thomas Frank, which describes why people vote hot button issues and against their own best interests.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 8:43 AM with the headline "Conservative union workersvote against own interests."