Regarding Glenn Boyd's letter in Friday, Aug,
12 issue, headlined, Article hits nerve with union rep.
my trust in union representation was
eliminated in 1982 when Inco decided that 1,050 of us were no
longer needed.
Although I was into my eighth year that
entitled me to a third week of vacation pay, I was not paid for
it along with several others. Even though I was no longer an
employee, I filed a grievance hoping Steelworkers Local 6500
would help. It was dropped at first stage. My guess is, once
the dues stop, so does the protection.
I believed the union made us strong. I was a
steward, and safety and health co-chair during my time there. I
was young and naive in thinking that the union was a career
choice for advancement. My father retired after 38 years
shortly after my lay-off. Working as he did was my plan in
life, but it was not to be.
One thing that is always in the back of my
mind is that I would have retired in January of this year with
a monthly pension cheque of $3,200 plus benefits, bigger than I
have ever made in earnings since.
Yes, the union makes you strong, as long as
you are paying dues.
For more than 30 years I have worked in both
environments, and much prefer the non-union influence.
J.M. Belfry
Cardiff