Smithfield Chair Named 'Grinch of the Year'

He doesn't live in the mountains above Whoville and he's probably not green, but Smithfield Foods Chairman Joseph Luter III is 2007's "Grinch of the Year." Luter gained top honors as the greediest Grinch for Smithfield Food's continued intimidation of workers and ten years of unionbusting tactics (SMITHFIELD WORKERS TAKE BATTLE TO STREETS OF WILLIAMSBURG 9/4 UC). Luter narrowly beat out American Airlines President and CEO Gerard Arpey, who recently gave executives millions in bonuses after workers gave concessions in 2003 to keep the airline out of bankruptcy. Grinch runners-up included Verizon Vice President for Human Resources Bob Toohey, United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton, Burger King CEO John W. Chidsey, American Motion Picture and Television Producers President J. Nicholas Counter III, and other write-in candidates. Nearly 10,000 people voted in this year's contest sponsored by Jobs with Justice.