Which type of employee is prohibited from participating in a union?

Elected officials are generally prohibited from participating in a union due to the nature of their roles and responsibilities. These individuals are publicly elected to serve the interests of their constituents and are often not considered employees in the traditional sense. Their positions are associated with governmental authority and accountability to the public, rather than an employer-employee relationship that typically characterizes union participation.

The distinction between elected officials and employees who can join unions arises from the legal and structural framework of labor relations. Unions typically represent workers in negotiations with employers regarding wages, hours, working conditions, and other employment-related matters. Since elected officials have a direct role in the creation and enforcement of laws and policies, their involvement in union activities could lead to conflicts of interest and undermine the accountability mechanisms inherent in their positions.

It is important to note that while some employees may have varying degrees of association with unions, elected officials are explicitly barred to maintain the separation between public service and labor advocacy.