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2:20 PM Monday, February 28, 2011

If you support Senate Bill 5, you are wrong. I am a retired union member and, during my working career of 47 years, I am proud to say I never worked one day non-union.

... Unions have only improved the standard of living for all union and non-union blue-collar workers alike, throughout the world. With collective bargaining, unions have been able to secure better wages, health insurance and safer working conditions.

When times were tough, unions were there to give back wages and to self-pay a portion of their health insurance, either by paying out of pocket or by forgoing wage increases. Only within the last 10 years were we able to recoup some of the give-backs, but only through collective bargaining. I personally know of no company or government agency just giving it back to us.

If approached in a respectful manner, union members would be the first to offer to help offset the cost for benefits if needed, but it has become clear that Senate Bill 5 has nothing to do with taxpayers’ money, the state budget or out-of-pocket payments for benefits; but does have everything to do with union busting and getting the so-called upper hand. Shame on them and all who voted for Ms. (Shannon) Jones and Mr. (John) Kasich. It is my opinion that both are elected thugs, trying to force their own agenda on all who might oppose them and to advance their own political position or wealth.

Terence D. Denholm

Hamilton

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