As predicted, President Bush signed four executive orders in mid-February which hurt workers. And he sent lawyers into federal court to delay benefits for coal miners disabled by black lung disease.
The orders and court case drew sharp criticism from AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, Building and Construction Trades Department President Edward Sullivan, American Federation of Government Employees President Bobby L. Harnage and Mine Workers President Cecil Roberts.
Sweeney called Bush's decisions "pure retribution for the growing voice of working men and women" in national politics, and said the president issued the orders to cater to his "corporate contributors and right-wing ideologues."
He also said they broke both public and private promises by top administration officials, including Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, to discuss issues "whether we are in agreement or not."
Bush's four orders: