ON WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY
This year Workers Memorial Day was held on April 28. I wish there would never need to be a day created because we as working folks have to worry about being killed in the workplace. However, every year in this country more of us are being killed.

Laws to protect workers from hazards are continuously being attacked in order to protect big business. Last year in Michigan we lost 157 workers. Did you know that? How many workers did you lose in your state? We never see that information in headlines.

Maybe someday my wish will come true and there will not be a need for Workers Memorial Day.

Kim Lane
UAW Local 3000 member
Flat Rock, Mich.

ALL SHOULD GET SAME RAISE
I think all people should get the same raise. With a percentage raise, $15-an-hour people get $1.50 while $10-an-hour people only get a dollar. Sixty years ago when I was in a strike, we got a raise across the board.

Florence Horasek
UAW Local 863 retiree
Cincinnati, Ohio

GRATEFUL TO UAW
My husband Gilbert Podolner worked for GM Electromotive Division from 1948 to 1978. His wages were modest, but we enjoyed the benefits of sick pay, health insurance, supplemental pay for times of layoffs and more. As a retiree, he was entitled to a pension (modest), health insurance, dental insurance, drugs at $5 per prescription.

Now as a widow, I am entitled to a portion of his pension plus all the health benefits. How grateful we are to the men and women of our union, past and present, who worked so hard to make this possible. This safety net has allowed us to live our lives in dignity and independence.

Charlotte Podolner
Widow of UAW Local 719 retiree
Countryside, Ill.

LABOR PARTY ALREADY EXISTS
I totally agree with President Yokich when he said, "I really wish there was a labor party" (March Solidarity). Lucky for us, now there is one. The Labor Party was founded in 1996 in Cleveland representing over a million workers. Yokich also said, "To start a political party is very difficult." Amen brother. But don’t you think it’s time to show the Democrats they can’t just take us for granted at election time?

Jenny Brown
UAW Local 1981 member
Gainesville, Fla.

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