The Obama Admin. Is Supporting Jobs for Veterans – And This Union Boss Is Not Pleased!

The White House announced last week that companies participating in its Joining Forces Employment initiative, a program designed to help veterans find work, have hired or trained 290,000 veterans since August 2011, easily surpassing all previous estimates.

Included in the Obama administration’s hiring scheme is a Walmart program that guarantees a job to returning veterans.

And you know who’s not happy about it?

This guy:

AFL-CIO boss Dick Trumka. (Getty Images)

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka tore into President Obama this week for supporting a hiring program that involves the non-unionized big box retailer.

"Walmart’s recent announcement of a plan to hire returning honorably discharged veterans is more about public relations than honoring our heroes," Trumka complained in a statement. "

"That this effort was valorized by President Obama and Vice President Biden reflects an acceptance of economic failure out of line with America’s history or future,” the statement adds.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden -- the program's chief advocates -- at an event last week celebrated the program's achievements and encouraged businesses to continue hiring U.S. veterans.

"Walmart is telling any veteran who has served honorably that if they want a job in the year after they separate from service, Walmart is going to hire them. And their goal is to do it within 30 days of the veteran’s application," the First Lady said.

But Trumka is having none of her Walmart-loving nonsense!

"After facing enemies abroad, is an $8.81 an hour part-time job the best we can offer returning veterans?" his sanctimonious statement continues.

"Already, working families and our economy are struggling against an epidemic of low-paying, low-benefit, part-time work. Instead of legitimizing that trend, we need to treat the talents of our veterans — and of all of America’s people — as a critical national resource," it adds.

Here’s the union boss’ full statement:

Exit Question: Do you think there's anyone questioning Trumka’s grandstanding really being about U.S. veterans?

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Featured image POLITICO.