WASHINGTON, March 10 (UPI) -- The AFL-CIO, the major U.S. labor organization, is downsizing its operations, with up to a quarter of its staff expected to lose their jobs.
Robert Welsh, chief of staff for President John J. Sweeney, told employees at the AFL-CIO, which represents 58 unions and employs 421 persons, that as many as 80 to 100 would be let go, the Washington Times reported.
The decision to cut the work force is a result of a move by AFL-CIO's 24-member executive committee at its annual winter meeting in Las Vegas to approve Sweeney's plan for increased spending on political and legislative activity from $32 million to $45 million annually while cutting funds for organizing efforts by about $15 million.
Sweeney has said repeatedly that organized labor must fund a vigorous political campaign. The AFL-CIO plans to stage an aggressive attack against President Bush's to reform Social Security.
Welsh didn't say when the cuts will come or identify which workers are likely to lose their jobs.
