If public sector unions in Wisconsin fail to defeat Governor Scott Walker’s anti-union budget proposals, not only would workers lose their rights to collective bargaining, but millions of dollars of compensation paid to union leaders and/or donated to Democratic politicians as campaign contributions could also go up in smoke.
The Center for Public Integrity (CPI) has revealed that the bosses of the nation’s largest unions earn large six-figure salaries and generous benefits (which are of course paid for by dues-paying rank-and-file union members)
Here are the ten largest unions in the country, with the salaries of their bosses, and information on campaign contributions during 2009-2010: (all data from CPI)
NEA represents most of the country’s teachers. Its president, Dennis Van Roekel, received $397,721 in salary and benefits. (By comparison, public school teachers were paid a national average of $54,319).
NEA spent $3.7 million on political campaigns in the last election cycle, of that, 98 percent went to Democratic candidates.
ReutersUFCW’s members work in meatpacking, food processing and retail grocery stores. Its president, Joseph T. Hansen, received $360,737 in pay and benefits in 2009.
Ninety-nine percent of the $1.9 million the union has contributed to political candidates over the past two years went to Democrats.
In 2004, members criticized the union’s leadership for paying outgoing president Douglas Dority $709,000.
ReutersAFT represents teachers as well as education support staff, health care professionals and other state and municipal employees. President Randi Weingarten received $428,284 in salary and benefits.
Of the $2.4 million the union donated to political candidates in the past two years, only $10,000 did not go to Democrats.
ReutersIAM represents machinists and aerospace workers in dozens of industries. President Robert Buffenbarger received $284,975 in salary and benefits. Over the past two years, the union gave $1.98 million to Democratic candidates and only $34,000 to Republicans. ReutersThe well-known UAW now represents workers at the big automakers, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, as well as people who work in the aerospace and agriculture sector. Ronald Gettelfinger, who resigned as president in 2010, received paid $173,065 in salary and benefits. Bob King was elected to replace him.
Over the past two years, the union donated more than $1.6 million to political candidates -- and all but $3,000 went to Democrats.
ReutersIBEW represents electricians, linemen, some public utility employees, among others.
Union chief Edwin D. Hill received $375,767 in pay and benefits. The union has been steadily losing membership.
ReutersAustralian industry lobby group Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has filed an appeal with Fair Work Australia to overturn a decision which is creating uncertainty and risk for employers who have reached agreement with their employees over the terms of an enterprise agreement.ReutersThe legendary Teamsters represents truck drivers and various blue-collar and government workers. The president, James P. Hoffa (son of the infamous Jimmy Hoffa who disappeared in 1975 and presumably murdered by the Mafia) was paid $362,869 in pay and benefits. In the past two years. Teamsters donated $2.3 million to Democratic candidates and $46,500 to Republicans. ReutersThe SEIU comprises hospital, home care and nursing home workers, as well as local and state government employees, janitors and security officers. The former president, Andy Stern, received $306,388 in salary and benefits from the union in 2009. Stern resigned in 2010 and was replaced by Mary Kay Henry. In the past two years, SEIU gave about $2 million to Democratic candidates and only to Republicans.Reuters
