AFL-CIO chief 'disappointed' at defections

CHICAGO, July 25 (UPI) -- AFL-CIO President John Sweeney told his organization's convention in Chicago Monday he was "deeply disappointed" two unions refused to attend.

The Teamsters and the Services Employees International Union announced Monday they were leaving the AFL-CIO, citing a decline under Sweeney of union recruiting.

"Brothers and sisters, one of my greatest responsibilities as your president is to be honest with you when things go wrong," Sweeney's prepared remarks said, "and this morning is one of those times."

Sweeney said it was "a grievous insult to all the unions that helped us -- and to the unions in this hall who came here to discuss and debate the difficult issues and make historic changes.

"But most of all, it is a tragedy for working people," Sweeney said. "Because at a time when our corporate and conservative adversaries have created the most powerful anti-worker political machine in the history of our country, a divided movement hurts the hopes of working families for a better life."