An important but remarkably under analyzed labor studies subject is the relationship between union identity and union member voting behavior. The dominant political theory in America holds that pluralism generates overlapping and crosscutting interests that militate against the formation of a dominant political orientation. However, it is the thesis of this work that once subjected to intense union political education and lobbying, workers would strongly identify with their dues paying status and were more likely subsequently, to cast a union/class-based vote. Based on post-1996 presidential election surveys of union members in Illinois the following study addresses the subject of union members’ political attitudes and voting behavior and serves to extend an underdeveloped field of scholarship by presenting empirical research on the relationship be tween union political education, political orientation and union member voting behavior.