Stern, 59, is one of President Barack Obama’s closest political allies and a major force in Democratic politics. His union spent about $60 million to help Obama win the presidency and millions more on House and Senate races around the country.

By SAM HANANEL at The Daily Caller

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of nation’s most politically powerful — and polarizing — union leaders is preparing to step down from his post.

Andy Stern, president of the 2.2 million-member Service Employees International Union, plans to resign, a senior union official told employees in an e-mail on Monday.

The message from the official, Diane Sosne, was obtained by The Associated Press. She is a member of the union’s board and president of an SEIU local based in Seattle.

SEIU spokeswoman Michelle Ringuette said only that Stern plans to address “speculation” that he would leave his post later this week, at the close of the union’s executive committee meeting.

Stern, 59, is one of President Barack Obama’s closest political allies and a major force in Democratic politics. His union spent about $60 million to help Obama win the presidency and millions more on House and Senate races around the country.

He is also one of the most frequent visitors to the White House, showing up more than 20 times last year, according to official logs. Stern has served as a popular punching bag for conservatives who accuse him of using political largesse to push union causes like health care reform and stimulus spending.

Stern saw the passage of health care reform this year, one of his longtime goals, but failed to win legislation making it easier to organize unions.

FULL STORY

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