Contributions by labor unions for political candidates has gone down by 40% this year as compared to 2009. However, the real concern is whether the traditional union allegiance towards the Democratic Party is to persist. The major complaint that most unions have is the lack of action on the part of federal agents in Congress towards the union degradation at the state-level. Though President Obama may be set in funds, the lack of union support could be a seriously blow to the series of rally formations during election campaigns. In 2010, nearly 93% of the nearly $64 million in donations had gone to the Democrats but it will be interesting to see if in the coming election campaigns, the party alignments will change or not.
See "Union campaign spending off sharply in 2011: report", cbcnews.ca, July 7, 2011