Head of NYC Labor Group Resigns

The head of a powerful umbrella group of labor unions in the city is stepping down at the end of the month, according to the New York State AFL-CIO, which oversees the group.

Jack Ahern, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, has been dogged by allegations that he misused money from the local of an engineers union of which he is also business manager.

Two unions had quit the council in the past two weeks, in part because Ahern's stipend had doubled.

In a statement, Ahern said he's resigning because "there can be no room for divisive debate within the ranks of labor," and cited the weakening of collective bargaining in Wisconsin.

The unions that make up the Labor Council represent more than one million members, including public school teachers, longshoremen, custodians and construction workers.

The resignation becomes effective March 31, which is when the labor council is expected to elect  a replacement.