One union leader in NY would come to work late; eat, sleep and go home

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Mark Rosenthal is the President of New York's Local 983 of District Council 37.

The union represents over 3,000 workers who are some of the lowest-paid municipal employees. But they still pay an average of $1,080 each in yearly membership dues.

For US$156,000 a year, Mark Rosenthal's colleagues say he comes in to work at 2 p.m., eats his lunch, and falls asleep at his desk.

"Then he wakes up, looks at his watch and says, ‘I have to get out before the traffic gets bad.' He's usually out by 4 p.m. after being at the office two hours," union Vice President Marvin Robbins told the New York Post.

Labor leaders like this is not likely to have the best interest of workers in mind.

Rosenthal's records show he racks up over $1400 in food bills paid for by the union between events and work-related meals. His colleagues say he consistently over-orders and takes multiple boxes of food home.

Rosenthal, however, says he falls asleep because of medication he takes for back pain, from when he fell through a chair at a McDonald's restaurant last year.

"I'm 60 years old, so if I eat during my lunch hour and take a little medication, can't I close my eyes?" he told the Post. "Is it so outrageous?"

He says he works 12-14 hour days - not two - and that much of that work is in the field. He claims that his colleagues are engaged in a smear campaign so he won't get re-elected later this year.