Freedom Foundation
We’ve all seen the mailers - sometimes they impersonate union leaders or look like checks. We’ve gotten the emails, with claims that they are going to give us “free” money. But these fake checks are worthless. They are a direct attack on your union and the right to organize across the country.
A Reality Check
The so-called Freedom Foundation, which sometimes goes by Opt Out Today, is a billionaire-funded political effort to weaken unions, privatize public services, and strip away the wages, benefits, and protections that union members fought for and won.
The Freedom Foundation Chairman of the Board Tom McCabe even admitted it.
Chairman of the Board – Freedom Foundation
“We want education reform, and we want pension reform,” he said. “We want smaller government, and you’re never going to get those things with unions in the way.”
But, the Freedom Foundation doesn’t mind exploiting government bailouts to bolster its bank balance, though, taking $644,125 in COVID CARES Act government relief.
The Real Agenda
Organizations like the Freedom Foundation are founded to silence your voice and erode your union by
- Outsourcing public services and eliminate union jobs
- Slash wages, benefits and retirement security for working families
- Counting on short-term self-interest to eat away at your union strength
Just look at who is funding them.
Billionaire Funders
Behind the Freedom Foundation are many of the same right-wing billionaires and corporate special interests who supported Project 2025, an ultraconservative agenda,which seeks to fire civil servants, freeze government programs and dismantle entire agencies, including
- Charles Koch
- The Bradley Foundation
- Ed Uihlein Family Foundation
- American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a secretive lobby for corporate interests
- Donors Trust / State Policy Network, a rightwing “dark money ATM”
These funders are trying to dismantle the last remaining check on billionaires and oligarchs.
‘Freedom’ Foundation Fact Check
The Freedom Foundation spins lies and half-truths to trick us. It impersonates union leaders and sends out fake checks. It appeals to our short-term interest to try to weaken your union.
Sticking Together
SEIU Local 221 members know that unity is power. Together, we’ve fought for better contracts, stronger protections and a more equitable community. The Freedom Foundation fears that power and is trying to divide us.
Let’s send a clear message: We’re sticking with our union. We’re sticking together. We won’t give up our power.
