Bargaining needs protection

Last year, Idaho passed “controversial school reform bills … to remove most collective bargaining rights from teachers …” The citizens of Idaho are now working to get these collective bargaining rights back. (“Otter on school reform referendums,” June 1). Many other states are also attacking collective bargaining rights.

If a state legislature grants workers the right to collective bargaining, then the legislature can also take away that right. That is why it is important for us to reaffirm the right to collective bargaining in constitutions.

This fall, voters in the city of Spokane will have the opportunity to do just that by passing the Community Bill of Rights. The amendment to the City Charter would add “workers in unionized workplaces shall possess the right to collective bargaining.” The complete text of the amendment is available at www.EnvisionSpokane.org

Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin

Spokane