Letters to the editor, March 9, 2011Don’t support ‘right to work’ laws

Don’t be fooled by the name. “Right to work” does not guarantee anyone a job.

Maine has avoided this trick in the past. If you want to see what years of “right to work” laws have done to other states, there are 22 examples. The average poverty rate alone in those states should tell all you need to know.

If you need more facts, look at those “right to work” states’ median household incomes. Lower-paying jobs only help widen the gap between the wealthiest and the poorest working Americans by reducing the middle class.

There is no law that forces anyone to join a union — this is a fact. Another truth you won’t hear Gov. LePage mention is that case law has forced unions to represent all employees, even those who choose not to pay dues, which is a quick way to destroy unions.

This is what “right to work” would accomplish if it becomes law in Maine, and it would not create a single job. Gov. LePage is against employees collecting benefits without paying their fair share for those benefits, which makes sense, so why would he want the opposite for organized Maine workers?

Another unjust claim from supporters of a “right to work” law is that it will encourage more economic development in the state. Again, take a look at the 22 states that have dealt with this law for years and see it does not help development.

Maine is currently about 12 percent unionized, so approximately 88 percent of Maine workers are non-union.

Using “right to work” ideology, Maine should be bustling with jobs. Employers and employees both would lose legal rights to security clauses.

Truly titled, it would be “right to work for less.”

John Jordan

Biddeford

I am writing this letter to express my opposition of L.D. 788 and L.D. 309, the incorrectly dubbed “right to work” bills.

This is a poorly hidden attempt to eliminate unions in order to drive down wages and increase profits that will end up in the pockets of out-of-state CEOs, not local businesses and economies.

When employees can join together in unions, they can help all workers by raising standards for wages and benefits, job security and retirement.

Unions help protect nurses, firefighters, teachers, police officers and other workers who are essential to the well-being of our communities.

The middle class is an endangered species. Working Mainers need the power to protect themselves by using the strength of our numbers to put a check on corporate greed and stop corporations from shipping American jobs overseas.

Without the ability to join together, attacks on the middle class will go unanswered. Politicians should be focused on creating jobs and building the Maine economy, not undermining workers and making it even more difficult to take care of our families during this economic crisis.

Lawmakers, please support Maine’s working families and vote “no” on L.D. 788 and L.D. 309.

Nicholas Paquet

Benton

I am writing in opposition to L.D. 788 and L.D. 309, the proposed “right to work for less” bills.

I’m disappointed that Gov. LePage is focused on making it harder for working families, instead of creating and supporting good jobs that strengthen Maine’s economy.

Who do these bills benefit? Certainly not families like ours.

These bills are aimed at benefiting out-of-state special interests and corporate CEOs — because if LePage succeeds he weakens unions and lowers wages for all middle-class families.

The average worker in “right to work” states earns about $5,500 less a year than in free bargaining states. Close to 30 percent of jobs in “right to work for less” states are low-wage jobs, compared to 20 percent in free bargaining states.

Maine cannot afford to lose any more good jobs that will directly impact tax revenue for our state. No one can be forced to join a union under existing law.

However, if a person benefits from working under a collective bargaining agreement, they should pay their share of representation. That is fair, just like a person paying membership dues to a country club. If I am not a full member, I pay a greens fee to play golf at that club.

“Right to work for less” is a thinly veiled attempt to bust unions, and supporting this action at a time when we need to support working families is wrong.

We cannot afford to give up our collective voices in our struggle for fair pay, benefits, worker safety and dignity.

I urge legislators to look at the facts and vote a resounding “no” on L.D. 788 and L.D. 309.

Allan Shepard

Windham

Democrats already took $500 billion from Medicare

Robert Prahl of Brunswick must have recently awakened from a long winter’s nap when he wrote his letter imploring Republicans not to cut Social Security or Medicare.

He says, “Attacks on Social Security and Medicare should be rejected by all.” I guess he didn’t notice that, despite 30 million baby boomers about to join the Medicare and Social Security rolls, the Democrats stole $500 billion from Medicare in order to pay for Obamacare.

That health care boondoggle has the likes of AARP, labor unions and countless businesses that see it as a pending disaster seeking and being granted waivers and exemptions from it. And 25-plus states are suing to overturn it as unconstitutional.

Yes, we should rail against cuts in Medicare and Social Security. Where were these people last year when the Democrats did just that?

Fred Walther

West Poland

Real estate broker knows what South Portland needs

I read with some dismay the article headlined, “Movie studio plan for armory appears to be fading to black” (March 1).

South Portland needs to turn its crumbling armory into a tax-producing property. That’s because South Portland needs new jobs that are creative and vibrant. What South Portland really needs, however, is a professional real estate agent.

Negotiating by committee, making extensive proposed lease changes without consulting the other party, and going public with ultimatums before the deal is signed are classic mistakes that could be easily avoided.

You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a real estate agent. South Portland should hire a pro and get the job done before it is too late.

Sign In: