Misunderstanding the Public’s Will
It seems like the left, especially labor leaders, are missing the mark when it comes to understanding what people really want.
For instance, despite numerous lessons from the last election, they still haven’t grasped that Americans generally support strict enforcement of national borders and want to see consequences for the many individuals who’ve violated these laws, thanks to a previous administration’s indifference.
Recently, David Fuerta, who leads the California Department of Service Employees Union, made a bold move by joining protests against legal raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Los Angeles.
He was arrested while attempting to block a vehicle trying to enter the property.
Fuerta didn’t shy away from showcasing his role as SEIU’s California director; he wore his SEIU shirt, signaling his stance that law enforcement was impeding his duties.
Interestingly, his union has funneled member fees to support protest groups, like the Coalition for Humanitarian Immigration Rights, and has even backed a “Speed Immigration Response” network that responds to immigration enforcement.
Instead of condemning Fuerta’s actions, many on the left rallied around him. This support comes as SEIU California is a major financier of liberal initiatives in the state.
Kurt Schlicter, a syndicated columnist, noted that this situation gives the Trump administration a chance to reconsider government financial support that may enable such protests.
They could begin by examining the union’s finances.
SEIU California collects millions from Medicaid by taking membership fees from thousands of Californians involved in federal care programs, where workers provide home care for seniors or low-income families.
With many caregivers working in informal settings and often unaware they are union members, Fuerta’s organization still collects about 3% of their wages, one of the highest rates nationwide.
In a sense, taxpayer funding through Medicaid is supporting these protests in Los Angeles. Here’s a thought: instead of arresting protestors like Fuerta, why not cut off the funds by preventing unions from accessing Medicaid?
Since a Supreme Court ruling in 2018, many government employees have opted out of union membership and fees.
The movement largely stems from frustration with unions that seem to prioritize radical political agendas over the legitimate workplace issues of their members.
Caregivers associated with SEIU in California should reflect on how Fuerta’s actions impact efforts to improve pay and working conditions.
It’s not doing anything positive; it only highlights a long-standing neglect of the welfare of their members by civil servants’ unions. This has been the pattern for decades.
Modern unions like SEIU primarily exist to fund left-leaning policies, using the dues paid by workers who are growing increasingly weary of this dynamic.
It’s not just the workers facing unrest due to actions by individuals like Fuerta; it’s also their diminishing hope of being taken seriously or regaining political leverage.
