That’s why I am a proud conservative and an active member of my union, the Washington Federation of State Employees of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.By speaking up together, union members are able to negotiate with their employers for fair wages, benefits and safe workplaces that sustain American families. When more people belong to unions, middle class income rises.But these days it’s hard to ignore the wedge that some are trying to drive between conservatives and their unions. Even though a growing number of Americans support unions — including nearly half of conservative voters — some say that being conservative and a union member is a paradox.