[Lancey Howard]

It used to be the unions were an auxiliary of the local Democratic Party. Lately, the party has become an auxiliary of the unions.

At every level, from local to national.

[Domestic Church]

"Lately, the party has become an auxiliary of the unions."

They're justing following the NEA role model. And this is not recent but standard practice for decades. I guess the author just woke up and smelled the coffee.