Union Unhappy With Obama's Labor Department Pick

After eight years of antagonistic relations with the White House, federal employee unions have been jumping with joy since President Obama's inauguration.

But those good feelings only go so far.

Local 12 of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents Labor Department workers, is upset that Obama has appointed Edward Hugler as acting secretary of labor. Previously, Hugler was a deputy assistant secretary.

A statement from the Local calls Hugler a "union busting bureaucrat." It says he "engineered the privatization process" in the department, which the Government Accounting Office "recently determined disproportionately and adversely impacted women, African-Americans and employees over the age of forty. The Union had complained to Mr. Hugler and DOL management about the discriminatory nature of the privatization process as early as 2006. Mr. Hugler totally ignored these concerns."

Labor employees, are "deeply disappointed by the president’s decision to make Mr. Hugler acting secretary," according to the statement.

This might not be the end of the honeymoon, but it does show the union will speak up when it doesn't like actions of the new boss in chief.

By Sara Goo  |  February 5, 2009; 3:12 PM ET  | Category:  Unions
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