 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Letters
|
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 3:00 AM
Union memorial had another purpose I read with disappointment the article by Matt Shaw, "Local union backers remember injured workers," WDT, April 28. Although some of the 30 people may have gathered under the pretense of remembering workers who have been killed or disabled on the job, it is obvious, from the details of the article that the true intent was to garnish support for union organizing activities. This is evident from the photo accompanying the article that directly addresses "Collective Bargaining." The intent of this letter is not to disparage unions or those who actually choose membership in a union through the secret ballot election process directed by the present National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and the Taft Act of 1947. My goal in writing is to bring to light one of the organizing strategies used by unions; namely to gain attention under the pretense of an emotional subject. In this case, allegedly honoring those American workers injured or killed at work. Of particular interest is the fact that the Smithfield Packaging Co. in Tar Heel, N.C. was specifically identified in the article. Smithfield has been the target of organizing as explained in the article, and I contend that was the major focus and agenda for the gathering that Saturday at the Baptist Church. According to the article, a past employee of Smithfield was terminated because of his union organizing activity, and Smithfield had over 400 reported work related injuries. I would encourage all readers who initially believed the allegations made by the individuals identified in the article to check the facts. I would start by contacting the regional National Labor Relations Board and determine exactly what the outcome of the "lengthy court process" was. If you want a real surprise, do some research on the Employee Free Choice Act, which is a proposed law to change the present method used by employees to determine if they want to join a union. Over the past two years, the EFCA has been forcefully lobbied by unions to the Democratic leadership in Washington. You will find that the free choice part of the title actually eliminates the right of the worker to choose, though, secret ballot election, if they want to be represented by a union. I believe any reasonable person would agree that the title is misleading, like the activities of those "union backers" who gathered last Saturday to remember injured workers. Tom Curran Cardinal Drive
|
|
|
|
