Facing increasing internal pressure from its member unions, the AFL-CIO last week decided to lay off 105 of its 450 workers. The move comes at a time of immense discord, wherein the SEIU has threatened to leave the federation unless it markedly increases its organizing funds. The presidents of five unions will meet Monday to discuss whether to challenge current AFL-CIO president John Sweeney in his bid for a new four-year term.
See "A.F.L.-C.I.O. Lays Off 105, but Discord Grows Louder", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, May 8, 2005