Vice President Biden To AFSCME: "[W]e owe you." (Michael O'Brien, "Biden To Labor Group: We Owe You," The Hill, 5/12/09)

Just How Much Does Obama/Biden Owe Big Labor?

Over His Career, Obama Has Received At Least $766,099 From Labor. (The Center For Responsive Politics Website, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 5/12/09)

Since 1989, Biden Has Received At Least $350,249 From Labor. (The Center For Responsive Politics Website, www.opensecrets.org, Accessed 5/12/09)

SEIU President Andy Stern: "We spent a fortune to elect Barack Obama -- $60.7 million to be exact -- and we're proud of it." (Michael Mishak, "Unplugged: The SEIU Chief On The Labor Movement And The Card Check," Las Vegas Sun, 5/10/09)

Labor's Investment Is Already Paying Dividends

Obama Appointed Former Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA), A "Longtime Union Ally" And Daughter Of A Teamster, As Labor Secretary. "Mr. Obama's labor secretary, longtime union ally and former California Rep. Hilda Solis, is the daughter of a Teamsters shop steward. She recently moved to quash a Bush administration regulation that would have increased scrutiny of union finances to root out corruption." (S.A. Miller, "Unions Benefit From Obama Decisions," The Washington Times, 5/5/09)

Obama's First Bill, The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, Was A Pro-Union Bill That Made It Easier For Workers To Sue Employers. "The first bill Mr. Obama signed was a union-backed measure that makes it easier for workers to sue employers for wage discrimination." (S.A. Miller, "Unions Benefit From Obama Decisions," The Washington Times, 5/5/09)

Obama Has Signed Four Pro-Union Executive Orders. "He signed four pro-union executive orders, most notably one requiring federal construction projects to favor 'project labor agreements' that set aside jobs for union workers." (S.A. Miller, "Unions Benefit From Obama Decisions," The Washington Times, 5/5/09)

Obama Administration May Rescind Stimulus Money Over Dispute Between Health Care Workers And Unions. "The Obama administration said Monday that it has made no decision about whether to rescind $6.8 billion in stimulus money allotted to California in a dispute over the legality of a wage cut for home healthcare workers who belong to a politically powerful union." (Peter Nicholas and Evan Halper, "White House Officials Say No Decision Has Been Made To Rescind State's Stimulus Payment," Los Angeles Times, 5/11/09)

• "The Obama Administration's Stance Has Sparked Concerns About The Influence Of The Service Employees International Union." (Peter Nicholas and Evan Halper, "White House Officials Say No Decision Has Been Made To Rescind State's Stimulus Payment," Los Angeles Times, 5/11/09)

Auto Unions Have Seen The Biggest Returns

UAW Is "The Big Winner In The Chrysler Bankruptcy Saga." "The United Auto Workers union would appear to be the big winner in the Chrysler bankruptcy saga, having exercised its considerable political muscle to win a 55% stake in the country's third-largest automaker." (Tom Krisher and Dave Carpenter, "UAW Wins Big Chrysler Stake But Can't Run Company," The Associated Press, 5/2/09)

General Motors Offered UAW A 39 Percent Stake In The Company. "Yes, the union could still come out the winner at Chrysler and at General Motors Corp., which has offered the UAW a 39 percent stake as part of its own reorganization plan." (Tom Krisher and Dave Carpenter, "UAW Wins Big Chrysler Stake But Can't Run Company," The Associated Press, 5/2/09)

After Spending $5 Million To Help Elect Obama, Chrysler Debtholders Argue UAW Was "Unfairly Rewarded." "The UAW spent nearly $5 million in independent expenditures to promote Obama's campaign, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, and some Chrysler debtholders contend that the union was unfairly rewarded for that support." (Tom Krisher and Dave Carpenter, "UAW Wins Big Chrysler Stake But Can't Run Company," The Associated Press, 5/2/09)

And There Are More "Payoffs" To Come

During A Speech To AFL-CIO, Obama Reiterated His Support For Card Check Legislation And Told Labor "You Will Always Have A Seat At The Table." Obama: "And as we confront this crisis and work to provide health care to every American, rebuild our nation's infrastructure, move toward a clean energy economy, and pass the Employee Free Choice Act, I want you to know that you will always have a seat at the table." (President Barack Obama, Remarks To AFL-CIO Executive Council, Miami, FL, 3/3/09)

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