Proud supporter of UMWA and union workers
Editor,
All over the United States, the men and women of America’s labor movement are under attack. The attacks are being made by union-busting billionaires, CEOs and their political allies who would like nothing better than to eliminate fair compensation for work done by employees-all the while generating huge profits for themselves. There are also government officials and agencies that are determined to put an end to coal mining and coal fired power plants.
Joining in the fight to maintain fair compensation for employees, and also to keep power flowing in this nation, are the members of the UMWA Local 1769 and Local 2176 who work for Energy West Mining, and members of the IBEW Local 57 employed by PacifiCorp at the Carbon, Huntington and Hunter power plants and other branches of the PacifiCorp organization. Both of these Unions are currently engaged in bargaining successor contracts with PacifiCorp. These coal miners and the power plant workers are fighting for the right to maintain their standard of living with no backward steps–a fight which is affecting their families and could affect our local communities.
These union workers are everyday ordinary people, right here, in our communities. They’re volunteer firemen, EMTs, little league coaches, and even bishops and pastors of churches. They’re on the city council, members of the National Guard and supporters of many community functions. They are hunters, fishermen, ATV riders and boaters on the lake. They’re golfers, softball players, gardeners, voters and most important of all; they’re good neighbors. They are the one who will help you get that new washing machine through the door, or come pick you up when your truck breaks down and even try to help you fix it.
If you’ll notice, many other areas of the nation are struggling economically because of job loss, and even this area has had its hard times. But these union workers are determined to help our local area keep the lights on. The miners dig the coal and the power plant workers burn the coal and they are where the real “energy” is.
They’re a big reason why our convenience stores, our restaurants, our furniture, clothing, music, office supply and hardware stores, and even our local car dealerships, radio stations and newspapers keep going. Very little about the local union workers struggle for fair compensation for the work they do and the profits they generate for PacifiCorp has been covered by the media.
So, I wish to personally applaud all the local businesses in the Castle Country area, Sanpete County and even Pier 49 Pizza in Salt Lake City who are proud to support the Union’s efforts and display the yellow and blue “We Support The UMWA” posters in their windows. When I need to purchase any product these businesses sell you can bet I will be walking through their doors, without hesitation, to spend my money.
Thank you so much for your support.
Sincerely,
Doris H. Quinn
Castle Dale