Thanks to bargaining teams

Many thanks to the UAW national bargaining team on reaching the agreement with General Motors.

I am a surviving spouse and remember the many years of waiting for an agreement to be reached while raising our family, and even more years of waiting alone.

Again, as in the many years past, the union has been there for all of us.

Theresa Moore
Danville, Ill.

I would just like to take a moment to thank the UAW for the work and success with the new contracts you just negotiated.
And thanks again for supporting retiree issues.

Ed Bruce
UAW Local 626 retiree
Bristol, Conn.

I am the widow of a retired Chrysler employee. I want to thank you so much for thinking of the retirees in your recent negotiations. I can’t tell you how much your thoughtfulness is appreciated.

It’s not always easy to make it on your own, and this money makes a lot of difference.

Sally Davis
Ravenna, Ohio

UAW stands for respect

I am amazed at the venomous attack directed at the UAW for exercising its right to strike against General Motors during recent contract negotiations.

Where does this hate originate? Why do Americans gleefully rejoice in denigrating other working Americans? Surely there is more to this resentment than base envy.

The true problem stems from a fundamental disconnect between belief and reality in this country. The belief, according to the well-entrenched capitalist mantra, is that anyone regardless of origin can pull themselves up the social ladder simply by working diligently.

Somehow, union members violate those sacred American laws of self-sufficiency and independence. People see them as lazy, overpaid leeches on society.

The belief that hard work always pays off keeps Americans complacent with their lot and enraged that union members supposedly harbor a sense of entitlement.

The UAW, as one of the last bastions for decent wages in the blue-collar world, stands as a stark reminder of what all workers deserve yet seldom receive: respect.

James Bartek
Georgetown, Ky.

(Editor’s note: Bartek is a history professor at the University of Kentucky. His father, James Bartek Sr., is a UAW Local 1112 member in Lordstown, Ohio.)

Salute to ‘The Old Soldier’

The Solidarity, November-December 2007 Workers’ Words poem, “The Old Soldier,” was excellent. It's sad that Veterans Day has become an almost ignored holiday.

Remember: America is the home of the free because of the brave.

Jack Tiggleman
UAW Local 1485
Zeeland, Mich.