Bad bargain for labor

The recent vote by the Wisconsin Legislature could impact workers in many states. The private sector’s union density is below 10 percent. That means 90 percent or more of you do not know what it means to have union representation in the workplace. I believe that 90 percent also doesn’t understand what collective bargaining really means either. Rather than give my interpretation, I searched Wikipedia for the following answer.

Collective bargaining is a process of negotiating between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements which regulate working conditions. Collective agreements usually set out wage scales, working hours, training, health and safety, overtime, grievance mechanisms and rights to participate in workplace or company affairs.

Some of you may think union workers’ benefits or wages are too high. Yet we think nothing of an athlete or the CEO of AT&T earning $20 million a year. Even though most of us work just as hard and long at our jobs, we won’t see $20 million in a lifetime. We are well on our way to becoming a nation of haves and have-nots.

Mike Rapp

Spokane

After seeing the headline on the front page of The Spokesman-Review, stating “Japan faces nuclear crisis,” I find it necessary to comment.

We hear all the hoopla and claims to remove our dams on the rivers for whatever reason. Idaho wants to stop the wind farms.

I think this is a good reason why we should keep our dams and be darn thankful that our forefathers were smart enough to build them for us, instead of a nuclear danger.

All I can say is, save our dams.

David Greenwalt

Odessa, Wash.