Unions are valuable

Thank you, Dr. Woodrow [Myers, who wrote a column in the March 28 Forefront] for a reasonable response to the collective-bargaining issues that face Indiana. I [recently] attended a breakfast that was sponsored by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. I heard four state elected officials talk about the evils of unions in our state and the walkout that was villainized. They spoke with pride that our governor does not recognize the union. I was sick when I left that breakfast, and it wasn’t because of the food.

I am so aware of how important unions are to the American way of life. I grew up in Columbus, Ind., where the diesel unions gave a wonderful standard of living to that community. Now, 25 years later, everyone seems to forget what unions have done for everyone. Even though only 10 [percent] to 13 percent of the work force is union, it still has a positive effect in our jobs and benefits.

Every day in my work I am seeing more and more people that lived a middle-class life that are moving into poverty. As unions go, so goes the standard of living for all. Please continue to speak up and I will also and maybe our voice that seems to be so small now will be heard because of clarity amidst the noise.

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Karen Rohner