A union leader in Pennsylvania and seven of his officers have resigned after threatening legal action over a Boy Scout's volunteer project.

A 17-year-old Eagle Scout named Kevin Anderson recently came under fire from the local chapter of the SEIU for taking it upon himself (with the permission of the Allentown Parks Department) to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path in a local park that had been clogged by trash, brush, and poison ivy. If you're asking yourself why the SEIU is so upset about a 17-year-old kid doing some community service, you might also want to ask yourself if that same kid is a dues-paying union member.

Nick Balzano, head of the local chapter of the 1.8 million members' strong union, recently made his displeasure known at a town council meeting. "We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails," Balzano told the assembled council. Realizing that he was taking what might be considered a somewhat controversial "anti- Scout" stance, Balzano later eased off, adding that the union was "probably going to let this one go." Who says big labor can't be magnanimous?

Young Mr. Anderson most likely never thought he would end up being a lightning rod for controversy when he decided to clean up a rural bike path, but he also probably never gave any thought to the disgruntled Parks Department employees who felt he was overstepping his bounds. After all, why should the town let a civic minded teenager do a good deed at no cost when they can just as easily pay overtime to the Parks employees who let the path fall into disrepair in the first place?

 The president of the Service Employees International Union chapter in Allentown had said his union might file a grievance against the city for allowing a 17-year-old scout to clear a walking trail in a park. The union officer said he has nothing against Boy Scouts, but was just trying to protect union jobs.

Apparently, the union didn't feel the same way about him. It said his comments, "were completely unauthorized — and do not reflect the position or views of the union."