California voters are being bombarded with political ads from every direction ahead of the Nov. 4 election. At the center is Proposition 50, a ballot measure that would redraw congressional districts in ways that could give Democrats five additional House seats.

 

Behind the flashy messaging and celebrity endorsements, there’s a deeper issue that rarely gets discussed: the massive flow of union money into politics.

 

Labor unions representing teachers, nurses, state workers, and carpenters have poured tens of millions of dollars into campaigns supporting Proposition 50. Unions shouldn’t have a direct hand in shaping legislation, influencing elections, or tilting political outcomes. The result? Ordinary workers’ voices are drowned out by union political spending.

 

At Americans for Fair Treatment, we believe workers should have freedom and choice — including the right not to have their dues used to fund political agendas they don’t support. Union contributions to political campaigns, ballot measures, and lobbying efforts too often benefit politicians and parties, rather than the members themselves.

 

In California, this influence is on full display, with unions strategically contributing millions to control of the U.S. House. That’s not democracy — it’s power politics funded by people who often never gave their consent.

 

This isn’t just about one election. It’s about the principle that workers should be able to choose how their money is used, and that elections and policy decisions should reflect the will of the people — not the priorities of powerful special interests.

 

Prop 50 is a wake-up call. It shows us why the law must evolve to protect worker choice, ensure transparency, and remove coercion from union political activity. Workers deserve a real say — not a blank check written on their behalf.

 

It’s time for California — and the nation — to put workers first. That means giving employees the ability to opt out of political spending, requiring unions to get explicit consent before using dues for politics, and restoring integrity to the democratic process.

 

Workers should have a voice, not just a checkbook.