Labor Unions Won Big on Election Day, With Ballot Initiatives and Friendly Politicians

Tuesday’s US elections brought gains for labour unions through ballot measures and the election of politicians who support expanding collective bargaining rights. The results could lead to significant changes in state labour laws, while raising questions about how union agreements might affect public budgets and government services.

Vermont approved a constitutional right to collective bargaining by nearly three to one, while Maryland passed an amendment requiring the governor’s proposed budget to fund state employee agreements and allowing binding arbitration if negotiations fail. Democrats won full control of government in Wisconsin, Colorado and Nevada, where incoming leaders have backed rolling back or changing restrictions on unions. The article also points to a federal bill, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, sponsored by Republican Senator Josh Hawley, but the supplied text ends before explaining its prospects.