Financial Failings

The Pennsylvania Joint Board of Workers United (PAJB) has an annual budget of approximately $4 million. In 2025, just 34 percent of that budget was spent on “representational activities” – i.e. representing members. The other two-thirds was spent on things like overhead, purchase of investments, or kicked up to the national union.

Despite PAJB’s relatively small budget, the union’s officers are well paid. PAJB Manager David Melman is paid a salary of $164,435 by PAJB, and is paid an additional $35,000 by the Workers United National Headquarters as one of its board members. PAJB’s Associate Manager and Organizing Director are also paid six-figure salaries. 

Over the past five years, PAJB has spent almost $1 million on things like lawyers, travel, and merchandise.

PAJB’s budget in 2001 was $17.9 million (adjusted for inflation). Its budget today is less than a quarter of that, no doubt in part because of the union’s poor financial management and falling membership.