DEAR EDITOR:
Where does Denise Apuzzo come up with those myopic views
concerning labor unions?
DEAR EDITOR:
Where does Denise Apuzzo come up with those myopic views concerning labor unions?
She claims: “Unions have done more good for this country than every other endeavor except the public education system.” What nonsense! What’s “done more good for this country” has been the creative genius of the unfettered mind to conceive of the better way, an easier path, a helpful tool, to make daily life more enriched and fulfilled. Only after the results of such innovativeness were put into production did unionism come into being – not to serve the general good but to serve those responsible for completion of the creative idea – the worker.
In its earlier years, the struggle of those seeking to unite workers served a high purpose – to bring about a fair wage, safe working conditions, job protection and enhancement and, most of all, a single voice speaking for the collective workers.
Unfortunately, those acquiring the power of union leadership soon corrupted the ideal. As workers were granted the many benefits they receive today, union leadership tainted itself with the power of control. Soon slowdowns, walkouts and strikes became a coercive weapon against company owners/shareholders rather than a means of benefiting union members. As quickly, workers became pawns for their “leaders.” Today, unions nationwide have evolved from that original high purpose to being nothing more than parasitic leeches on America’s workplaces – demonizing any firm(s) that refuse to acquiesce to union demands.
She says: “My advice to those Wal-Mart employees who are happy as clams is that they should join a union.”
Why should they do that, Denise? The first thing they’d see: a reduction in their income. Besides union dues, whose use workers have no say in, unions find many ways to take from workers trapped in a union shop. Wal-Mart workers would find unending union rules and regulations to abide by. They’d be encouraged to look at their employer as an enemy and work only to minimum capability. Morale would disintegrate and jobs become joyless – all for union “solidarity.”
Denise moans the trite and cliched union line: “Those happy Wal-Mart employees should try to imagine how wonderful it would be to work at a place where you are treated with dignity and are assured the right to benefits and a livable wage.” Gee, Denise, I go to Wal-Mart and don’t see jack-booted storm troopers stalking Wal-Mart aisles beating on employees while demanding they work ever harder to serve their capitalistic masters. If working conditions are as bad as fantasized by unions to deceive the public and intimidate Wal-Mart – no one will stop those employees from leaving. It’s the American free enterprise system, Denise, and it works no matter how diligently organized labor tries to destroy it for labors’ own greed at workers’ expense.
James Brescoll, Gilroy
Submitted Monday, Dec. 1 to ed****@****ic.com
The Golden Quill is awarded periodically for a well-written letter.
