Union Members Backed Scott Brown While Union Officials Backed Coakley

The gap between union leaders and union members has once again come to light as it was revealed this week that the majority of union households in Massachusetts voted for Republican Scott Brown, while the leadership of the state's AFL-CIO labor union backed Democrat Martha Coakley.

On December 18, Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Robert Haynes declared,

"The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is proud to stand with Martha Coakley because of her proven record of fighting for working families and because of her career of public service. Our Attorney General has always stood for fairness, justice, and opportunity for working families. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO will work hard during this short campaign to add Martha’s voice, values, and talents to the U.S. Senate."

Yet, while union officials predictably threw their weight (and members' money) behind Democrat Coakley, union members chose to make up their own mind. In polling data released January 21st, the AFL-CIO itself reported that union households supported Republican Scott Brown over Democrat Coakley 49%-46%.

Once again, union workers were forced to sit back and watch as the resources they pay into their union are used to support candidates they oppose.