On Friday Obama met with labor leaders including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. AP Photo
John Maggs
Politico
12/17/2010
President Barack Obama tended to his frayed relations with Big Labor on Friday, assuring leaders he won’t short-change workers while negotiating with energized Republicans and reaching out to the business community.
The president met at the White House with a dozen labor leaders, led by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, to discuss how they can join forces to promote economic growth and job creation. The meeting comes just days after Obama’s extended huddle with Wall Street and corporate executives, seeking common ground along with ideas to encourage business investment and employment.
Trumka said afterward that the president reaffirmed his support for the labor movement but added that both sides avoided topics of conflict — including the new tax deal Obama brokered with Republicans and signed into law in a Friday afternoon ceremony, a move that unions opposed.
The article continues at Politico.
Update: At MichelleMalkin.com, Watch out: More Obama union pay-offs in the works
On Friday, President Obama mollified Big Labor bosses at the White House. Which means you better watch your wallets.
Angered at the tax deal, union leaders marched into 1600 Pennsylvania with a renewed list of grievances and demands. AFL-CIO chief thug Richard Trumka was there, along with: United Steelworkers President Leo Gerard; American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten; Service Employees International Union President Mary Kay Henry, and United Auto Workers President Bob King.
One item on the Big Labor wish list: more failed government-funded infrastructure spending…
