Julian Zelizer : Democrats and unions used to link their fortunes for mutual gain . That 's declined . The Democratic Party is now a party of the wealthy, with few if any working-class voters left in it. The entire point of collective bargaining was to create an economic system that would ensure a base of financial security for a large number of workers . But unions ' core mission reflects Democrats ' basic goals : financial security for workers , he says . Zelizer : In era of income inequality , Dems , unions should be allies , especially as GOP is n't .
Julian Zelizer : Democrats and unions used to link their fortunes for mutual gain . That 's declined . The Democratic Party is now a party of the wealthy, with few if any working-class voters left in it. But unions ' core mission reflects Democrats ' basic goals : financial security for workers , he says . Zelizer : In era of income inequality , Dems , unions should be allies , especially as GOP is n't .