Labor Day
Here's a good article for Labor Day, by Deroy Murdock.
Labor Day, our country’s mislabeled national work stoppage, inspires union bosses to march in parades honoring America’s employees. Union members should use this occasion to learn where union chiefs spend their hard-earned dues.
It is no surprise that the labor unions are fond of liberals, Democrats, and "progressive" causes. Just look:
During the 2004 elections, the Center for Responsive Politics reports, unions spent at least $61,484,080 in political contributions—87 percent to Democrats, 13 percent to Republicans. That year, according to a CNN exit poll of 13,660 respondents, 61 percent of union members voted for Democrat John Kerry, while 38 percent supported Republican George W. Bush.
Labor often backs very liberal causes. The NEA contributed $1,210,000 to progressive groups including the Fund to Protect Social Security ($250,000), People for the American Way ($51,000), and the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network ($5,000). Gay, straight, or betwixt, it would not be immediately evident to anyone how any of this helps instructors teach kids to read and write.
Okay, no big surprise, right? But the "bosses" sure live high, to wit:
Seventeen unions spent $1,322,378 at various Disney resorts. The NEA paid $62,036 for events at various Disney properties. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) shelled out $100,999 for its Disneyland convention. And the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) dropped $125,467 on conferences at Disneyland and Disneyworld.
Even beyond Disney’s reach, union honchos seem to inhabit a permanent Magic Kingdom. For them, the good life includes their salaries, the seas, and the skies. One hundred top union executives made at least $280,000 annually, not counting benefits. And among them, 93 percent are male. NEA president Reg Weaver made $438,920, plus benefits. At his headquarters, 335 officers and employees scored $100,000 or more, averaging $140,977, before benefits. The typical teacher makes $47,808, NEA calculates. “You are better off representing teachers than being one,” one labor analyst laments.
Unions floated $109,286 on yachts. The NEA spent $11,797 in November 2004 to charter a yacht from a Hollywood, Florida company. The Carpenters and Joiners Association Council paid the Montauk Yacht Club $27,099, while the International Association of Machinists (IAM) gave World Yacht $70,390 for a national conference.
Wait, aren't these the same people complaining about what corporate CEOs make? There's more in the article. As it says early on, union members make, unions take.
Labor Day, our country’s mislabeled national work stoppage, inspires union bosses to march in parades honoring America’s employees. Union members should use this occasion to learn where union chiefs spend their hard-earned dues.
It is no surprise that the labor unions are fond of liberals, Democrats, and "progressive" causes. Just look:
During the 2004 elections, the Center for Responsive Politics reports, unions spent at least $61,484,080 in political contributions—87 percent to Democrats, 13 percent to Republicans. That year, according to a CNN exit poll of 13,660 respondents, 61 percent of union members voted for Democrat John Kerry, while 38 percent supported Republican George W. Bush.
Labor often backs very liberal causes. The NEA contributed $1,210,000 to progressive groups including the Fund to Protect Social Security ($250,000), People for the American Way ($51,000), and the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network ($5,000). Gay, straight, or betwixt, it would not be immediately evident to anyone how any of this helps instructors teach kids to read and write.
Okay, no big surprise, right? But the "bosses" sure live high, to wit:
Seventeen unions spent $1,322,378 at various Disney resorts. The NEA paid $62,036 for events at various Disney properties. The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) shelled out $100,999 for its Disneyland convention. And the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) dropped $125,467 on conferences at Disneyland and Disneyworld.
Even beyond Disney’s reach, union honchos seem to inhabit a permanent Magic Kingdom. For them, the good life includes their salaries, the seas, and the skies. One hundred top union executives made at least $280,000 annually, not counting benefits. And among them, 93 percent are male. NEA president Reg Weaver made $438,920, plus benefits. At his headquarters, 335 officers and employees scored $100,000 or more, averaging $140,977, before benefits. The typical teacher makes $47,808, NEA calculates. “You are better off representing teachers than being one,” one labor analyst laments.
Unions floated $109,286 on yachts. The NEA spent $11,797 in November 2004 to charter a yacht from a Hollywood, Florida company. The Carpenters and Joiners Association Council paid the Montauk Yacht Club $27,099, while the International Association of Machinists (IAM) gave World Yacht $70,390 for a national conference.
Wait, aren't these the same people complaining about what corporate CEOs make? There's more in the article. As it says early on, union members make, unions take.
posted by Jennifer at 7:27 AM
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