Did they have a contract?
I retired in 1993 under a union contract with a pension and superb medical coverage. My question: Were employees of Enron, Global Crossing, WorldCom, AOL Time Warner and Quest covered by union contracts?
Richard W. Pierce
UAW Local 788
Orlando, Fla.
Serving others
I was asked to be a guest speaker in June for the chaplain's meeting at Black Lake. From the very moment my husband and I set foot on the grounds, we were impressed. The facility was absolutely breathtaking.
Even though we had a wonderful experience enjoying the land, that is not what impressed us the most. It was the people and their commitment to others that took us by surprise. We spent many hours talking, teaching, discussing, learning, playing and laughing with these fine men and women.
During that time, we discovered these were people who are intensely committed to serving those they work with, in ways that go above and beyond the call of duty. It was very clear from hearing them talk that being a chaplain is more than just a job to these fine folks. It is a calling. It was refreshing to see this kind of personal investment that men and women are willing to put into something they believe in.
Through talking with these people, I became familiar with the chaplaincy program. I must tell you I think the whole concept is brilliant. In a factory-type setting, there is such a need for intervention and this is a great way to do it successfully. As a therapist, I would highly recommend this kind of concept to other large companies. I believe it would work even for smaller-scale facilities as well.
You have an excellent program going with quality people carrying it out. My husband and I went as hired outsiders, but we left as part of the family.
Jackie Frisch
Krum Counseling Center
Toledo, Ohio
All Christians?
Regarding the article on Page 22 of the June-July Solidarity: I quote the caption relating to the central photo: “White crosses mark the 213 workplace fatalities in Michigan in 2001.” The cross is a symbol of Christianity. It is never used by non-Christians. Are you certain that every one of those 213 were Christians? Perhaps at least one was a Jew, a Hindu, a Muslim, or maybe an atheist.
Sylvia Bienstock
ACSW, UAW Local 6000 retiree
Farmington, Mich.
Editor's note: We apologize if the photo offended anyone. The crosses were simply intended as markers for workers who were killed on the job and not to favor any particular religion.
Find the book
As a Local 1112 Lordstown retiree, I am interested in buying the book “Building Unions” that you reviewed in the August Solidarity. Where can I get it?
D. Buck Hornberger
Lordstown, Ohio
Peter Kellman and Matt Wuerker's “Building Unions” can be had from Apex Press, c/o Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy, P.O. Box 246, S. Yarmouth, MA 02664-0246; call 508-398-1145, or go to the Web site, www.poclad.org/index.htm. The booklet costs $8.
Joke's on us
My husband was a member of UAW Local 422 that represented the now former employees of Tyrolit North American, another foreign company that simply walked into the United States, bought a company and then closed the production end of the business. The back cover of the August Solidarity asks the burning question as to what we should do with the likes of Bernie Ebbers, Ken Lay and Samuel Waksal. I suggest we put them at the bottom of a mine shaft and let time take its course.
Prison is a joke and making these criminals sign their financial statements is another joke. There is no honesty and integrity in many American business executives. These people lay off the American worker when executives fail. Meanwhile, they collect their salaries and bonuses.
The American government has made it possible for them to essentially enslave the American working class. Well the joke will be on all those well-oiled politicians when “American” big business has reduced the working class into total poverty working for crumbs. Businessmen won't need their expensive political friends to strong-arm the worker any longer.
Cathy Collins
Douglas, Mass.
