This ‘union-busting’ calculator arms workers with information

The workers’ rights watchdog LaborLab launched tools today that give workers greater visibility into who their employers are hiring to fight their union efforts—and what they’re willing to spend.

When employees dare to organize their workplace, a $1.7 billion industry of consultants and law firms springs into action. According to the Labor Department, something like 75% of employers enlist union avoidance consultants to quash union efforts. Some of them, including major companies like Amazon and 3M, spend many millions of dollars on those consultants, who can also double as legal representation—while the law firms that have made a business out of fighting unions reportedly earn millions of dollars for their work with employers.