A tool meant to help shoppers visit labor union-friendly locations actually shows how much unions add to the cost of products.
Labor 411 is an online directory of union-friendly businesses where consumers can search for everything from hotels to restaurants to parking garages. It operates in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and also covers some consumer products.
The directory makes it easy to find union-friendly businesses. But a bit of comparison-shopping shows that it isn’t the place to go for the best deal.
Let’s say a tourist is planning a trip into Washington, D.C. on July 7 — just to avoid the crowds for Independence Day. The Labor 411-endorsed Loews Madison Hotel near Thomas Circle charges $319 a night for one-guest room. The Donovan House Hotel, one block away and cited on a union boycott list, runs $269 for the same night. Both are four-star hotels. The difference varies depending on which nights are booked, of course.
When our tourist goes to pick up a rental car, he can choose a compact car from either Labor411’s choice at Reagan National — Avis — or go with Enterprise instead. Their products are similar, but Avis charges $181 a day while Enterprise charges $63.
After dropping off their bags and seeing some sites, the tourist decides to shop a little. A striped tie from Labor 411-endorsed Brooks Brothers costs $80. A similar striped tie from nearby J.Press is $59.
Craving a porterhouse steak, the tourist meets a local friend for dinner. The friend recommends two restaurants, Charlie Palmer Steak (endorsed by Labor411) or Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. For a porterhouse for two, Charlie Palmer charges $95, while Joe’s charges $75. That’s enough savings to get dessert with the meal. Joe’s even has the higher Yelp rating.
Altogether, patronizing the union-friendly businesses on Labor411 would have added $209 to the cost of our hypothetical day of travel. Perhaps those looking to save money should use Labor411 to find out which businesses to avoid.
“Labor 411 is committed to building a national Buy Union, Buy American movement as a means of improving the safety and economic well being of union workers and their families,” according to the website’s mission statement. By spotlighting businesses with higher prices, it’s clear Labor411 isn’t committed to the low-income consumer trying to save money.
To be fair, union-friendliness isn’t the only factor that affects pricing, but it is one of them.
