Unprecedented 'Whole of Government' Support of Unions Is Harmful

As a candidate in 2020, President Biden regularly stated that he would be the most pro-union president in history and would make increased unionization a top priority of his administration. To meet this pledge, the president has employed a “whole of government” approach that has mobilized the entire apparatus of the federal government to promote unions. By doing so, the Biden administration has put its thumb firmly on the scale for unions above all others.

Even though some federal policies historically have favored one group or another, President Biden’s utilization of the whole executive branch to promote a single special interest over everything else is unprecedented. As will be discussed in this paper, the administration’s approach is harmful to workers, employers, and the economy.

Moreover, it has led to an emboldened labor movement that has pushed a “summer of strikes” culminating in the United Auto Workers going on strike against all of the Detroit Three at the same time.

These strikes are causing collateral damage to a host of local businesses and communities. Illustrating the extent of the President’s determination to promote unions above all others, the President decided to personally picket Detroit Three automakers as part of this strike activity, a step no president has ever taken.

The Biden administration’s “whole of government” approach has involved executive orders, memoranda of understanding, interagency task forces and councils, initiatives, reports, agency rulemaking, federal funding, a concerted enforcement strategy, and a congressional strategy. This White Paper details the various elements of the Biden administration’s advocacy for unions. It is important to note that this White Paper may not cover every single executive and agency action and will be updated periodically.

Read the full report here.