Organized labor has its share of political opponents. The question this year is how much public support remains for the right to organize and bargain for fair pay and good working conditions.

The issue will be raised in Maine this year as the Legislature debates “right to work” bills that target union dues. It’s an issue calculated to convince working people that their interests are at odds with unions ”“ a proposition that has failed repeatedly in Maine.

But the union controversy currently in the spotlight is unfolding in Madison, Wis., where more than 70,000 protesters showed up last weekend to oppose an effort by Gov. Scott Walker to strip public workers of their collective bargaining rights. Many protesters in that cause are union members concerned that the Wisconsin ultimatum is part of a national anti-union campaign.

But organized labor’s troubles in Wisconsin should awaken some basic sympathy among workers without pensions, work rules or a salary scale. Unions represent a small minority of American workers, but even those who go to work every day with no guarantees can appreciate the importance of a union contract.

Negotiated wage agreements, for instance, often affect the pay rates offered to non-union workers. And companies concerned about fair play have adopted policies concerning employee grievances, cost-of-living raises and seniority despite the absence of a collective bargaining contract.

The governor of Wisconsin has refused to accept serious concessions by public employees seeking to compromise. He has said his goal is to limit workers’ ability to negotiate pay raises and benefits, and this winner-take-all approach is exactly aligned with Republicans’ taxation and policy goals.

Undercutting public sector unions might enable companies, school districts and fire departments to lower their costs. But in towns and cities where unions were once strong, the ideals of fairness, contractual obligations and working class solidarity should still carry some weight.

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Comments? Contact the editor at nickc@journaltribune.com.