On July 5, 2001, I retired from BellSouth Telecommunications with more than 33 years of service.

For those 33 years, I was also a member of the Communication Workers of America. I am a true believer in unions. Before I was an employee of BellSouth, I had several jobs that were not union related, and when I got the job with BellSouth I swore I would never work without a union again.

In the jobs I had without union support, the management would treat their employees as they pleased without regard to seniority or the employees ability to do their job. I’ve seen employees fired simply because their boss did not like them.

Through union negotiations, a contract is reached with management as to the salary, benefits, work condition, vacation, retirement, etc. Both sides agree to the terms, sign an agreement and each agree to abide by the contract.

It appears Forest Persons, who was in management with Mississippi Power and Light, believes the solution to the U.S. Postal Service’s problems is to fire postal workers who have negotiated with management for their benefits.

Union employees do not receive any benefits unless management agrees to the terms of a contract. Both sides negotiated in good faith for those working conditions. By the way, you don’t have to be a union member to reap the benefits of a union contract.

It appears Mr. Persons, who recently wrote a letter to the editor on the matter, wants to fire the union employees and replace them with soldiers who are returning home and will need a job.

Those who are with the National Guard will have their civilian jobs and those who are regular Army will still have their job with the military.

Just because they return from Iraq does not require them to leave the military. I am a true supporter of our military personnel, and I believe they deserve every ounce of help we can give them when they return, but firing postal employees to give them a job is not the solution.

The postal employees who would be fired will seek unemployment benefits and be a burden on taxpayers.

The contract with the Postal Service can be renegotiated and an agreement can be reached, but breaking a contract that both parties agreed upon is not the solution.

By the way, I was a big supporter of President Reagan, and I believe the only mistake he made was to fire the air traffic controllers.

 

Gillis Bland

Church Hill resident