Union Chiefs Pull Six-Figure Salaries

While public employee unions are crying about the hardships their members suffer, the heads of the unions certainly aren’t doing so badly. A study by the Center for Public Integrity found that leaders earned between $173,000 and $618,000 at major public unions in 2009, Politico reports. Of course it is union dues that pay those salaries.

Gerard McEntee

Have a look at the three biggest unions. Gerard McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, took home $479,328 in salary and benefits in 2009.

At the 3.2 million-member National Education Association, President Dennis Van Roekel earned $397,721 in salary and benefits in 2009.

And the American Federation of Teachers paid President Randi Weingarten $428,384 in salary and benefits.