AFL-CIO withholds backing those who supported a pension and health-benefits overhaul

[Omaha Steve]

http://articles.philly.com/2011-08-05/news/29854821_1_afl-cio-international-brotherhood-benefits-reforms

August 05, 2011|By Angela Delli Santi, Associated Press


TRENTON - The AFL-CIO took revenge on New Jersey legislators who supported a pension and health-benefits overhaul by voting Thursday not to endorse any lawmaker who supported the deal, including fellow union members and the Legislature's most powerful Democrat.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester), who pushed the benefits legislation over the objection of organized labor, was the most prominent target of the union's payback.

Sweeney, an ironworker, has supported paid family leave and other pro-labor issues. But his leading role in muscling through legislation that raised the cost of benefits and suspended collective bargaining over health care this spring cost him labor's endorsement for the first time in his nine-year legislative career.

[xchrom]

1. solidarity. nt

[Little Star]

2. k&r

[Brickbat]

3. Excellent. I fully support this kind of action.

K&R for Solidarity.