“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves ”

-Matthew 7:15

Let me start to tell you the story of the false labor savior, Dave Wondowski.

On August 21, 2016, Dave published an opinion piece in cleveland.com entitled “The union case against a $15 minimum wage only in Cleveland.”  The article states that “David J. Wondolowski of the Cleveland building trades council writes that the proposal did not get his unions’ support because of its anticipated negative economic impacts.”

Dave went on to say, “Let me be clear: We support unions whose initiatives make sense for our members.”  He later went on to say, “We must recognize that going after a small-scale, job-killing, meaningless victory like this for the sake of being able to say ‘We won!” won’t solve the larger scale problem.”

Far left is Leo Spellacy Jr. (Tony George’s lawyer suing the Port and brother of Kevin Spellacy, Tony George’s criminal lawyer), middle is indicted former Speaker Larry Householder, and of course Dave.

The community of Northeast Ohio we are sure thanks Dave for the courage to stand up against such an important issue. 

But let’s take a look at something first.  In the labor world there is a legal form called a LM2s.  The LM2 is like a tax return for a union.  Each union is supposed to file one every year.  An LM2 is a form where the union reports things like how much it pays its officers and employees.  We have attached Dave’s LM2 for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 for a reference.

In 2017, one year after he wrote “The union case against a $15 minimum wage only in Cleveland.” Dave was earning $154,366.  If he was working a 40 hour work week, which is generous we are sure, that comes out to be around $74.20/hr.  Definitely higher than $15/hour!

In 2018, two years after he wrote “The union case against a $15 minimum wage only in Cleveland”, Dave was earning $157,621.  That comes out to be around $75.77/hour.  We wonder why it’s okay for Dave to make $75/hour and criticize groups trying to benefit their membership?

In 2019, Dave earned $164,000.  Again, working a 40 hour work week, that comes out to be around $78.84/hour.  Nice little raise that year.

In 2020, Dave earned $167,154.  Working a 40 hour work week, that comes out to be around $80.36/hour.  Gotta love the every year pay increase no matter what!

In 2021, Dave earned $164,409.  Don’t know what happened here. But it is okay because Dave was earning about an extra $27,445.60 on the Board of Elections every year he served as a Board member.  Let’s combine $164,409 + $27,445= $191,854/year which comes out to about $92.23/hour.  Must be nice to be a union leader in this town!  How many other union leaders make that much money in this area?  We are sure we will examine that at a later date but let’s continue on.

Just to recap, in 2018 Dave made $75/hour then in 2019, he made $78.84/hour then in 2020, he made $80.36/hour and lastly, in 2021, he made over $92/hour. Oh and we almost forgot, the Cleveland Building Trades also pay for his Union Club membership on Euclid and East 12th Street.  Seems totally normal for a labor leader to be a member there.  It has a long tradition of being host to some great labor leaders! (Can you sense the sarcasm or should I lay it on thicker?). Way to support local businesses Dave!

Okay, so try not to forget the numbers we have been throwing at you guys because it’s about to get even better.  On June 17, 2022, Dave wrote another editorial called “Remaining focus on my mission to create jobs”. We are sure we are all glad he is working for us.  Must be working overtime to earn these wages!

DaveDave writes, “From my humble beginning as an apprentice bricklayer, I was fortunate to have had opportunities to climb the ladder of success, and I want other workers to be able to advance their careers as well. For all of these reasons, we are passionate about my work on the Port of Cleveland.”

We are confused, first he is against the $15 minimum wage but now he supports workers advancement in their careers.

He goes on to say, “My ultimate loyalty is to the men and women of the trades and workers across Northeast Ohio.” And he must be doing a great job because on July 5, 2022, the Cleveland Building Trades gave Dave a 20% wage increase.

How many other tradesmen and women received a 20% pay increase this year? Did you need to help pay for gas for your union purchased Tahoe? Did you need the money because you got divorced in 2020? Did you need the money because your involved in a private lawsuit? Union Club membership getting too expensive? Or did you need the money because you are no longer on the Board of Elections?

All of these are reasonable questions to ask considering Dave has never received a 20% wage increase as the Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Cleveland Building Trades. And we are unaware that any of the unions that he “represents” have received such large pay increases? So why now? You like to talk so much, tell the world why you deserve all of this but no one else can better their lives?

We have seen “labor leaders” like this in the past come and go because they forget they are there to represent the members. Union members across Northeast Ohio shouldn’t stand for this type of hypocrisy. The sheep’s clothing is covering up an Elitist. Do not be fooled by this false prophet!

References:

Leo Spellacy Jr. :

Larry Householdery:

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