To the editor:
To no one's surprise, Organized Labor plans to endorse (President Barack) Obama and his socialistic policies for another term. Unfortunately, the labor movement faced with declining membership in recent years has chosen to join forces with the current administration as part of a mutual benefit arrangement.
I spent 35 years in the labor relations field working with several large international unions. I understood and respected the majority of the union members, their representatives and their mission to acquire fairness for members in the area of wages, benefits and safety. However, the role of big labor seems to have changed and is no longer in the best interest of its members.
Let me provide you with reference material you can analyze and then decide whether your interests are being adequately represented or (whether) your union leadership has simply become a lobbying group in bed with this administration.
Go online to Department of Labor LM-2 Reports (Organization Query-Disclosure) or kcerds.dol-esa.gov/query/getOrgQry.do. This will provide financial statements the unions are required to submit annually to the government. Enter the name of any international union (review national headquarters' data rather than locals). Before "submit," enter LM-2 at the bottom.
The report contains substantial information, but what should be of interest are the separate sections on disbursements to officers and employees (scroll down).The number of officers receiving six-digit salaries is stunning (some at $350,000). Regional representatives receive nearly $100,000. One clerk in (Washington) D.C. had a salary of $68,000. Examine how much is being spent for "lobbying and political-related activities" supporting an administration whose policies are designed to limit your rights as individuals.
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Where do these funds originate? Your dues deducted from employer compensation. Dues that previously supported representation activities are routinely being used to benefit a select few. The administration and union leadership repeatedly utilize a biased media to promote the 99 percent vs. 1 percent class warfare game. After reviewing the LM-2s, where do you think your union officers fall? See any hypocrisy?
This election will be the most important (one) in your lifetime. Understand the issues and the effects on our Constitution. Vote as an individual American and not a sheep being herded by some "fat cat" at international union headquarters. If Obama and Holder prevail, our right to bear arms will be on the block next.
TONY GERSTBERGER
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