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[The water cooler - What Eastsiders are talking about - By Ann Garretson]

"Do you think labor unions are necessary?"
(asked at Presto Espresso, Totem Lake, on 08-28-97; published in the EJ on 08-31-97)


[pt.]Tina Carver, Administrative assistant, Bellevue
[blue rule]
"Yes, because they protect the employees... And the UPS strikers deserved everything they were asking for -- it's too easy to hire part-timers and take the hours away from full-time employees."

[pt.]Lisa Schwindt, College junior, Bothell
[blue rule]
"I don't know, but probably. My dad was pro-union. I think they just keep things fair and safe for the employees. A power-check kind of thing."

[pt.]Garth Watkins, Barista, Kirkland
[blue rule]
"Yes, to defend the wages and benefits of the working class."

[pt.]Julie Pygott, Mom, Kirkland
[blue rule]
"I don't know. They should all get along better and not go on strike again. A few of my friends work for UPS -- I haven't talked with them since the strike was worked out... I've never been in a union... I just don't understand unions."

[pt.]Dusty Field, Package driver, Redmond
[blue rule]
"I think labor unions are necessary, very necessary, because they strengthen America. I think if we didn't have labor unions, there wouldn't be quality jobs. I think the UPS strikers made a good stand -- there are people with families out there who need the benefits and you won't get that working part-time."

[pt.]Hans Rothert, Diesel mechanic, Kirkland
[blue rule]
"I really don't know about our labor unions. I suppose they're necessary for bigger businesses -- for employees to guarantee their jobs. I felt the UPS strikers' union handled it well. They seemed to be fighting for their workers, their labor force."

 

[blue rule]

© 1997 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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