Union B.S. Watch #6: The AFL-CIO’s Glass House

May 7th 2009 · 0 Comments

no-bs1 You know the old saying, ” Those who live in glass houses…?”

Well, AFL-CIO, the federation of comprised of about 50 or so fat-cat union bosses is protesting at Verizon’s annual meeting in Louisville.

Among the issues the federation is protesting: The fact that Verizon’s Chairman & CEO has two titles…Chairman and CEO

“We just think that it doesn’t make sense for Ivan Seidenberg or any CEO to have two jobs,” said Rand Wilson with the AFL-CIO. “How can he be his own boss?”

We think that’s a great question. Perhaps Mr. Wilson should ask his own union bosses the same question.

For example, for years, unions have notoriously had officers who are local officers, as well as officers of the international union, as well as trustees of various pension funds. Although this happens with many different unions, probably the most well known is the Teamsters union.

Take a look at the IBT’s $150,000 club (here) and you’ll see what we mean. Now, we don’t begrudge the Teamsters of having multiple salaries (other than the fact that their members are paying for it two and three times over), it’s just that protesting something you’re doing yourself is just a tad hypocritical.

However, if double dipping is what bothers the AFL-CIO protestors, perhaps Mr. Wilson and his fellow protestors will take their pickets to the next Teamsters convention?

Somehow, we doubt it.