A new report by LaborLab and the Economic Policy Institute has revealed that companies in the US spend over $400 million a year on "union-avoidance" consultants to prevent workers from forming unions or to weaken their efforts. These consultants are hired to prevent union elections and, if necessary, ensure workers vote against the union. While employers are required to report certain union-avoidance expenditures, statutory exemptions and enforcement limitations severely limit the scope of reportable employer union-avoidance activities. This lack of transparency makes it harder for workers to negotiate with their employers for better pay and working conditions. The report also highlights that the estimate of $400 million is only a fraction of the total spent on union-busting, as there is not enough data to reveal the true extent of employer expenditures in this area.

Published March 29, 2023