[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/13/art.stern.gi.jpg caption="Stern, a top Obama ally, is stepping down from his post as head of the SEIU, according to reports."] (CNN) - Andy Stern, the head of one of the most powerful labor unions and a top ally of President Obama, is resigning his post, according to a report from the Washington Post.
Stern has been at the helm of the 2.2 million-member Service Employee International Union since 1996 and initiated the then-controversial move to split with the AFL-CIO in 2004. He went on to found the Change to Win labor federation in 2005 - a federation of six major unions which heavily supported President Obama's election bid.
A spokeswoman for the SEIU would not confirm or deny the reports, but said Stern will
address these rumors at the close of the SEIU Executive Committee meeting this week."
SEIU also played a key role in the health care debate over the last fall, spending millions of dollars promoting the Democrats' plan on the airwaves and pressuring House Democrats in swing states to support the legislation.
Well, it's possible Mr. Stem has realized Pres. Obama will not be able to bring the volume of godies home for the SEIU in the future. When you do a reality check, a change is often indicated.
Irv
this guy is just another crook Obozo is in bed with..this guy is gone today, Obozo in 2012
So? People retire when they are done working. Doesn't mean he will quit supporting Obama. Only a right-winger would make a big deal about this!
There is nothing admirable to found in this thug and Obama's seeming friendship with and reliance on makes one wonder about his ability to use good judgement.
And we're supposed to miss him? Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out!
How come these Obama-bot Union thug mobsters can say they want the republican governor of New Jersey killed without even the slightest punishment, while if an American who isn't connected to murderers says the same thing about Nanci Pelosi or another hate America represent the worst people in this nation lib, that person ends up arrested and in jail?
Those who dismiss the contributions of unions are ignorant of the 40 hour week, overtime pay, health benefits, laws against sexual harassment, workplace safety regulations, laws against child labor, laws forbidding discrimination by race, laws forbidding discrimination against women, pregnancy leave (it used to be called getting fired), family leave, and many many more.
Those who imagine that we have become a "knowledge" economy and don't need unions anymore have never worked in IT sweatshops with sixty hour weeks, no overtime pay, and reduced pay scales caused by the outsourcing of computer code to India and other Asian nations.
Call me silly, but maybe the old guy just wants to retire guys. just a thought.
One labor union thug down, thousands more to go.
The guy looks like a stereotypical Teamster thug.
Connie in Tennessee: "Only a right-winger would make a big deal about this!"
Because only a right-winger is smart enough to see Stern for what he is.
This guy has been one of the biggest conflicts of interest within the Obama administration. I don't care if he leads the SEIU or not, he just need to get as far away from our government as possible.
I am sure they can find another piece of liberal trash to replace him.
My mom is a part of a union and I'm ashamed of it.
I believe in the right to unionize.
I also believe that unions are one of the single worst things to happen to this country in it's history. The fall of major industry and our current health insurance problems are both major effects of unions acting for their own self interest in just as short-sighted of a way as Wall Street bankers did leading up to the housing crash. The only difference is, for whatever reason, the mainstream media tends to romanticize laborers and vilify individuals who use their brain instead of their muscles to make a living.
Thanks for helping bankrupt GM Stern!
Bet Obama doesn't send his croonies to check out his retirement
package like he did wall street. He probably is retirement as he
knows the heat will be coming his way soon since the SEIU
members have gotten out of hand and rowdy..
Why there always has to be a motive when some one retire. Maybe he just want to retire and live his wonders years with his family. Have you thought about that. The right wings fools are acting very foolish.
For the right wings to talked about him in the comments is a shame.
You better look in the mirror and see who is the thug. Umm who you see ? ARE YOU LOOKING. JUST STOP THE BS AND GET A LIFE SO YOU CAN RETIRE............
This man should be kicked out long times ago. This organization and other liberal unions have contributed significantly to the ills of our country's political, social, economical and moral systems.
Thank God for American Unions, they have given American workers, safer working environments, fair pay, etc.
Some of the Conservatives criticizing Unions do not realize that Unions are on the Working-and-Middle Class side!
Hmmmm ... Andy Stern made over $306,000 last year that we know of, all on the back of union workers' dues. His organization, the SEIU, didn't make anything, nor did it sell anything, including services. It's members did but not the organization itself. We've heard all the animosity concerning CEO's salaries but shouldn't we be painting this guy with the same brush? Just an observation.
He was also a very frequent "visitor" to the White House. Don't believe for a second that "retirement" is the reason. A true crook who has handed over a ton of money to Obama. Glad to see him go.
He's the most frequent visitor to the Whitehouse! I'm sure this union thug will be moving into an office there to tell Odummie what socialist cause to take up next. Look all around Odumbo and all you see are these unsavory characters. The Whitehouse has become nothing but a Chicago gangster house...
The cockroach infestation of the Congress will be taken care of come November. The Whitehouse in 2012...
Another hate filled left wing fundamentalist progressive bites the dust.
Talk about your narrow-minded special interest crony, Stern was the poster boy .
Good riddens !! You've sucked the blood out of decent union workers long enough.