Protect workers, unions

In regards to Jim Camden’s article (“Early ideas on gun, abortion and unions for 2017 legislature,” Dec. 11), I am a fiscally conservative Republican, but I take great issue with this war on unions. In this divisive political climate, we must protect our workers; we cannot allow ourselves to vote along party lines. Unions and their workers are too important for the middle class to thrive. These bills would help big business kill our middle class.

A bill that would allow employees to opt out of union dues is tantamount to outlawing collective bargaining for unions. There seems to be some confusion about unions; many people believe that unions are bad for business and unions protect bad employees from being fired. While I can understand this perception, it is downright wrong. Unions work for not only better pay, but better and safer working conditions.

The rise, and subsequent fall, of the middle class is directly related to the rise and fall of unions. Big business will say otherwise, but unions are the absolute backbone of this great nation. Do we really want to be the state that does not protect the middle class from big business?

Megan Delaney

Spokane Valley