The Issue: Michigan’s passage of a right-to-work law, letting workers decide whether to be in a union.
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As much as I am in favor of the right-to-work law, after watching the violence displayed by those union thugs, who in their right minds would even consider opening a business, much less working in such a potentially explosive atmosphere (“Labor’s Sore Losers,” Editorial, Dec. 13)?
Until such time as the authorities are able to control such violent activities, Michigan, as well as its motto, “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you,” is dying.
Dan Clemens
Marlboro, NJ
With Michigan’s passage of right-to-work, outside front groups are now sniffing around New York.
Before they get too far, New Yorkers must understand what right to work is; it’s an attempt to silence and divide workers — period.
Workers in right-to-work states earn on average $1,540 less annually than those in non-right-to-work states. In addition, 28 percent more workers lack health insurance, the poverty rate is 18 percent higher and workplace deaths are 36 percent higher. Is that what New York strives to be?
Sandy showed us that we’re stronger together. Let’s not allow destructive policies like right-to-work divide us.
Mario Cilento
President
New York State AFL-CIO
Manhattan
The same greedy labor unions that have put many states on the path of financial default couldn’t care less about those who have no jobs at all.
Could anyone imagine working union members becoming violent over a law that actually allows its fellow unemployed residents the right to choose membership? Detroit has been reduced to rubble, in part by ravenous union leaders who long ago forgot that the American dream belongs to all of us, not just to the fat-cats picking at the bones of every city in this nation.
When forced to make concessions for the welfare of all, these overpaid thugs revert to violence. And President Obama fans the flames.
Theodore Miraldi
The Bronx
More and more Americans are steering away from some of these “bully” unions.
Unions have always been the backbone of labor, and many of us have belonged to a union. But some are way out of control.
The administration and the media elite have given this behavior a pass but were so eager to pound the dreaded Tea Party for its “terrible” actions. Listening to the press secretary try to dance around this topic was laughable. This is hypocrisy or a double standard at best.
Sam King
Manhattan
On Monday, Obama spoke to Michigan union leaders. Tuesday morning, a Democratic state legislator predicted the flow of blood. A few hours later, a riot ensued with a reporter assaulted and property destroyed.
Will any indictments result? Will a Michigan sheriff show up at the White House with an arrest warrant for the inciter-in-chief?
Walt Johanson
Yonkers
Soon, all 50 states will have right-to-work, which will benefit America.
Unions had a purpose years ago, but now they have become political shakedowns with their dues requirements going to their admitted socialist leaders to give to politicians of their choice.
There is no more money for ridiculous pensions. Unions have become an anarchist movement, just like Occupy Wall Street was.
While Obama visited Michigan unions, there was not one peep from him denouncing the violence. The left should learn decorum from the Tea Party. J.R. Cummings
Manhattan
There was a great movie about unions called “On the Waterfront” that showed the corruption and violence that were used to control the longshoreman’s union.
In Michigan, we saw the same thug and goon mentality that is at the heart of the current labor movement.
In the old days, crooked unions bought dirty politicians and judges. Today they are openly in bed with them and with the liberal media who are part of their propaganda machine. America needs to stamp out these bums and their liberal friends.
Patrick Grant
Brooklyn