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The political influence of unions and corporations on COPE votes in the U.S. senate, 1979–1988

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Abstract

The political influence of unions and corporations is examined by analyzing Senate roll-call votes on COPE-identified legislation for the period 1979–1988. Union PAC contributions and union membership both have significant positive effects on three different types of COPE legislation: Narrow Union, General Labor, and Non-Labor. In addition, corporate PAC contributions to senators’ opponents reduce their pro-union voting behavior on Narrow Union and General Labor bills. There is no evidence that the political influence of unions in the U.S. is declining.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, LA

    William J. Moore

  2. University of Illinois, 61820, Urbana-Champaign, IL

    Denise R. Chachere

  3. University of South Florida, 33620, Tampa, FL

    Thomas D. Curtis

  4. University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, 60637, Chicago, IL

    David Gordon

Authors
  1. William J. Moore
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  2. Denise R. Chachere
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  3. Thomas D. Curtis
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  4. David Gordon
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Moore, W.J., Chachere, D.R., Curtis, T.D. et al. The political influence of unions and corporations on COPE votes in the U.S. senate, 1979–1988. Journal of Labor Research 16, 203–221 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02685741

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