Brick needs more union-oriented officials, rep says

Americans are supportive of labor unions and there are many good reasons for that. Unions help give the average Joe a fair chance at achieving success. Union workers earn better wages and are more likely to have employer provided health care. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, union workers continue to earn better wages then nonunion workers. Some research data suggests up to 30 percent better wages.

If we put more money into the pockets of our blue-collar workers, it will help the economy grow. Let's face it, if you don't have it, you can't spend it. Having a collective voice on the job can help create good employer — employee relationships which will lead to a more productive workforce and motivated employees.

Here in Brick we should elect a pro- worker mayor and a laborfriendly council. People are struggling, and 42 Brick employees are now jobless. Who's looking out for the middle class? The working families? What labor-friendly ordinances were enacted? What labor-friendly policies have been introduced or implemented in the last year by Brick? Cuts in services and privatization are not the answer. Stopping overspending may be.

According to the state of N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development, unemployment in our state has reached 7.1 percent. That is the highest rate in nearly 15 years.

That leads me to our layoff issue. The layoffs could have been done using the seniority concept of last in, first out, which would have been the fair and far less controversial way. Civil service was designed partly to protect workers from politicians. Thank goodness we have unions in this country to help protect workers' rights, to get fair wages, to have safety on the job and health care benefits.

Since the beginning of contract talks, the Brick administration has continued to use the media to their advantage. Maybe they teach you that in Politics 101, but to mislead our Brick township residents does a disservice to the people.

Everyone now knows those small health care concessions would not have saved all those jobs from being lost. Time and time again the insinuations were made, most likely to make the union look like the bad guys. Well, guess what? The union is not the bad guy. In fact, we are the good guys. Every worker wants to be treated fairly and with the respect they deserve. Unions help enforce that.

I will continue to watch out for my fellow union brothers and sisters. We need to elect people who will help rebuild the middle class and pull people out from poverty. We don't need politicians who take care of the top rich guys, and create high-paying positions for their buddies. Why is it in Brick only blue-collar workers were laid off?

The unions know this is a time for real compromise, but the unions can't do it alone. We must all make sacrifices. Is this administration doing its fair share? Seems they want the little guy to make all the sacrifices, and that's not right. I have read that an average CEO in America makes more before lunch time in one day than a minimum-wage worker makes all year. That is not economic justice.

We need to elect candidates that will remember that people are struggling just to survive. Workers are just trying to get by. A recent Gallop poll conducted in August 2008 found 59 percent of Americans approve of labor unions, yet only 12 percent of workers are represented by unions.

The Employee Free Choice Act is very important legislation that if passed by our 111th United States Congress can help the economy, rebuild the middle class, and help rebuild unions in this country. So please research it and support it. Workers are important people, and their voices will be heard. Now is the time! Let's rebuild unions in Brick, New Jersey and throughout all the United States.
John T. Menshon
Chairperson
Brick Transport Workers
Union
Local 225 Branch 4