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 ENLIGHTENED
BY CAP CONFERENCE
I had the opportunity to be a guest at the National CAP Conference in
D.C. It was an experience I’ll never forget. The speakers I met at
the conference were very good. Their message to the delegates dealt with
many of the issues that labor has been fighting for years, like attacks
on health and safety and maintaining the 40-hour workweek.
The conference showed me the importance of electing people who are looking
out for working families.
Lucille Donaldson
UAW Local 1211
Delphos, Ohio
BUSH PAYS BACK CONTRIBUTORS
It sure didn’t take long for President George W. Cheney to start
the payback process to all the heavy hitters who helped finance the richest
campaign in the nation’s history.
First came the big fat cat oil companies with their blank check--the
right to drill for black gold at the top of the fragile Arctic Circle.
The next Lear jet to land at Reagan International Airport brought the
National Association of Manufacturers with their request to eliminate
the ergonomic standards set forth by the Clinton administration.
Finally, some good news. Although I have lost $18,300 in my IRA on Wall
Street since Bush took office, he has informed people in my tax bracket
that we will get a whopping $269 a year tax cut. I can’t wait.
Don Corn
UAW Local 737 retiree
Nashville, Tenn.
WANTS UNION FLAG PLEDGE
I know there are many pledges in this country.
I would like to submit this pledge to the UAW union flag:
I pledge allegiance to the union flag
And to the UAW for which it stands
One union for democracy and social justice
With unity and brotherhood for all members.
Roy R. Arters
UAW Local 435
Wilmington, Del.
LIKES REVIEW OF BUD, NOT BUDDY
The review by young unionist Daryl Kirkland-Morgan of the novel, Bud,
Not Buddy, was inspiring. She said the book taught her to be optimistic,
a valuable lesson for all unionists. Miss Kirkland-Morgan’s review
has inspired me to read the novel and suggest it to a friend for her adult
students.
Jean Dearden
George Meany Center for Labor Studies
National Labor College
Silver Spring, Md.
TOO KIND TO BUSH
Please don’t lower our good UAW Solidarity magazine by putting
George Bush’s photo on the cover or in the magazine. You could get
some good cartoonist to make a good, ugly face of him. Ugly is the way
he treats the working people. He’s not my president.
Joseph D. Crane
UAW Local 1643
Hamilton, Ala.
THANKFUL FOR UAW BENEFITS
My wife has breast cancer. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy and
radiation treatment. And one of the prescriptions costs $1,400, in addition
to all of her hospital bills. Thank God for the UAW and our contract.
People need to understand that unions improved the standard of living
in the U.S. for everyone.
Jerry Wivo
UAW Local 160
Warren, Mich.
DO LAYOFFS MEAN MORE OVERTIME?
I have been a member of the UAW since 1978. I was laid off this past January
from American Axle and Manufacturing. I’ll start my SUB pay soon
and continue to receive my health care benefits. It’s through the
UAW and its members that these fine benefits are now a reality.
But like me, many brothers and sisters are laid off. We are aware of
the current downturn of the economy and even the necessity for layoffs.
What I don’t understand is how and why those on active payroll are
working overtime. Many of them are working 10-, 12-, and even 14-hour
days on a regular basis.
John D. Wisnieski
UAW Local 262
Detroit, Mich.
MORE MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE
Thank you for the excellent article on depression in the March issue.
Depression is very treatable, as your article demonstrates. Sadly, however,
many patients and their therapists must actively advocate with the insurance
company to be sure benefits are made available as needed and deserved.
Please consider other articles on mental health topics.
Alan M. Solomon, Ph. D.
Psychologist
Torrance, Calif.
TREATMENT DOES WORK
I understand what Ron Burke went through. Depression affects many people,
and there are many various types. It affects your everyday life, like
eating, sleeping and work. It can be very hard to go through because you
never know when you might bottom out. And no one can really understand
it until they have been through it. Not everyone can heal on their own
either. Like my case, professional help was better.
Judy Dick
UAW Local 1436
Six Lakes, Mich
OTHER STATES HAVE RIVER BORDERS
March’s “The Union This Month” feature on Iowa says that
it is the only state with two navigable rivers. What about Illinois and
Kentucky? I seem to remember them both being bounded by the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers.
John Vilven
UAW Local 260
Morris Plains, N.J.
Letters
We welcome letters to Solidarity. Because we receive so many, we
cannot print them all and we reserve the right to edit for length. Please
keep letters brief and include your name, address, and local union number.
Send to Solidarity magazine, UAW, 8000 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit,
MI, 48214 or via the Internet: uawsolidarity@uaw.net
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