Letters: Are unions truly serving needs?

Published: Tuesday, Jan. 29 2013 12:00 a.m. MST

Summary

The news that unions lost 400,000 members in 2012 shouldn't be a surprise to anyone except union officials ("Unions Suffer Sharp Decline in Membership," Jan. 23). Their mismanagement of the labor movement has harmed dues-paying members while benefitting themselves.

Labor leaders pushed for a strike at Hostess last year that killed 11,700 union jobs, created unfunded pension plans that are short by $369 billion, get caught with their hands in the union cookie jar treasury every week and spend billions on political campaigns while their members get laid off. Meanwhile, many of these same leaders make salaries that reach as high as $490,000.

If union officials want to stop shedding members, they should reflect on whether they're truly serving their needs.

Richard Berman, Center for Union Facts

Washington, D.C.

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ECR

Burke, VA

Most of us work today without the benefit of union membership because the wages, salaries and benefits we receive are acceptable because of past union activity.

How many employers would pay the wages and salaries they pay and offer the More..

9:09 a.m. Jan. 29, 2013
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Roland Kayser

Cottonwood Heights, UT

Union membership peaked in 1970. Wages for working class men peaked in 1973 and have been declining ever since. Coincidence?

1:24 a.m. Jan. 29, 2013
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LDS Liberal

Farmington, UT

Here we go again with the Union bashers...

Every car you drive, every plane you fly on, everyship you sail on --- thank a highly skilled Union work-force -- mainly in America, Germany, Japan and Korea.

Every cheap plastic toy, More..

10:25 a.m. Jan. 29, 2013
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