The six union leaders who took the stage on Monday at the Democratic National Convention to condemn the richest one percent took home nearly $2.3 million in total compensation in 2015, according to federal labor filings.
Assembled delegates heard from the presidents of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), National Education Association (NEA), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) on the first night of the convention. Each labor leader earned well over six figures, salaries paid for by the dues of their hardworking members.
Randi Weingarten
President, American Federation of Teachers
2015 Total Compensation: $497,118
Speech Highlight: "[Hillary Clinton] will reset education policies that focus on creating creativity and critical thinking, not too much testing. And she will make public universities free for working families. A stark contrast from Donald Trump's for-profit scam."
Sean McGarvey
President, North America’s Building Trades Unions
2015 Compensation: $419,399
Speech Highlight: "Hardhats all across America support Hillary Clinton, and honorary ironworker Tim Kaine."
Lily Eskelsen
President, National Education Association
2015 Compensation: $416,633
Speech Highlight: "My mom says if you cannot say something nice about somebody, you should at least make it funny. I cannot make this funny."
Lee Saunders
President, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
2015 Total Compensation: $351,939
Speech Highlight: "How can you be a strong worker when you are famous for the catchphrase, you are fired?"
Richard Trumka
President, AFL-CIO
2015 Compensation: $304,121
Speech Highlight: "[Hillary Clinton] will stand up to Wall Street and fight to finally secure equal pay for equal work—it will pay—equal pay for it to work."
Mary Kay Henry
President, Service Employees International Union
2015 Compensation: $296,549
Speech Highlight: "Hillary Clinton knows that is wrong and that is why Hillary Clinton is ready to raise wages for homecare providers and childcare providers and ensure they have a strong voice in quality care linked to winning racial justice, environmental justice, and immigrant justice."
