It’s been a busy few months filled with the usual allegations and convictions involving union officials—acts that continue to highlight serious concerns about the integrity of the organizations entrusted with representing employees. Let’s look at some of the union leader misconduct and corruption since our last “sticky fingers” update.
1199 SEIU’s Medicaid Maneuvering: New York’s powerful 1199 SEIU is at the center of a controversial scheme to benefit from Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed changes to the state’s $9 billion Medicaid program. The Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), which allows New Yorkers to be paid to care for their loved ones, is being restructured. 1199 SEIU has reportedly pressured bidders for the new state contract to unionize 200,000 CDPAP homecare workers and increase their wages, illustrating the union’s aggressive tactics to grow its membership at taxpayers’ expense.
UAW’s Retaliation Against Its Own Staff: In a striking example of hypocrisy, the United Auto Workers (UAW) is facing accusations from its own internal union, UAW Staff United, of retaliatory behavior and bad-faith bargaining. UAW Staff United filed unfair labor practice charges after UAW leadership allegedly fired organizer Alex Chan for her involvement in the staff union. While UAW President Shawn Fain ran on a reform platform, the accusations against him and his administration indicate that entrenched, problematic behaviors may continue even under so-called reform leadership.
Robert Lucey’s Forged Checks: In Pittsfield, Massachusetts, former Treasurer of NALC Branch 286, Robert Lucey, pleaded guilty to forgery and larceny charges after embezzling $7,961 from the union. Lucey was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution.
Randal Dunlap’s $129,000 Theft: Randal Dunlap, former Treasurer of NALC Branch 1018 in Kansas, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for embezzling $129,000 in union funds.
Muriel Newman’s Wire Fraud: Former AFGE Local 2779 President Muriel Newman was sentenced to three years probation, including a year of home detention, after being convicted of wire fraud and falsifying records. She defrauded the union of $28,415.
Dilanjan Miller Charged for Bank Fraud: In Michigan, former USW Local 2513 President Dilanjan Miller was charged with bank fraud after allegedly embezzling $58,696 from the union.
