‘Right to work’ no help to workers

In response to the Wednesday letter, “State needs to be right to work”: I could not disagree more. Right-to-work states do not benefit workers, they benefit corporations. The writer is right in the fact that the Legislature in Michigan changed the law to be a right-to-work state in 2011 much to the dismay and massive protests of the citizens of Michigan. At the time the unemployment rate was at 8.9 percent; it is now at 9 percent two years later … big help doing that. I can certainly see where one would think that’s a good idea for the people of Michigan, it obviously created a lot more jobs by having those lower wages. Boeing would be smart to keep the production of the 777X in Washington state where the workers are highly trained and qualified to do the job. That “other” state they decided to go with is putting out “one,” yes, that’s right, “one” plane a month and guess who is making up the difference? Wait for it … yes, that’s right — the qualified workers in Washington state.

Boeing posts billions of profits every year as they are entitled to; they aren’t after all a non-profit organization. However, to consistently take away from the very people who actually put those profits in their pockets is unacceptable.

In regard to history, there is very good reason why unions were originally formed. To protect the workers from the shameful and awful working conditions they were forced to work in. While we may have many laws and regulations that protect workers today, it is because of the unions that we have these protections. There is something inherently wrong with the direction this country is moving.

Julie Barbeau

Marysville

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

Initiative promoter Tim Eyman takes a selfie photo before the start of a session of Thurston County Superior Court, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. Eyman, who ran initiative campaigns across Washington for decades, will no longer be allowed to have any financial control over political committees, under a ruling from Superior Court Judge James Dixon Wednesday that blasted Eyman for using donor's contributions to line his own pocket. Eyman was also told to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Editorial: Initiative fee increase protects process, taxpayers

Bumped up to $156 from $5, the increase may discourage attempts to game the initiative process.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, March 28

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Washington state senators and representatives along with Governor Inslee and FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez break ground at the Swift Orange Line on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: Community Transit making most of Link’s arrival

The Lynnwood light rail station will allow the transit agency to improve routes and frequency of buses.

Protecting forests and prevent another landslide like Oso

Thank you for the powerful and heartbreaking article about the Oso landslide… Continue reading

Boeing’s downfall started when engineers demoted

Boeing used to be run by engineers who made money to build… Continue reading

Learn swimming safety to protect kids at beach, pool

Don’t forget to dive into water safety before hitting the pool or… Continue reading

An image of Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin is reflected in a storefront window during the State of the City Address on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at thee Everett Mall in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: State of city address makes case for Everett’s future

Mayor Franklin outlines challenges and responses as the city approaches significant decisions.

FILE - The massive mudslide that killed 43 people in the community of Oso, Wash., is viewed from the air on March 24, 2014. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Editorial: Mapping landslide risks honors those lost in Oso

Efforts continue in the state to map areas prone to landslides and prevent losses of life and property.

Comment: Why shootings have decreased but gun deaths haven’t

High-capacity magazines and ‘Glock switches’ that allow automatic fire have increased lethality.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Wednesday, March 27

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Burke: ‘Why not write about Biden, for once?’ Don’t mind if I do.

They asked; I’ll oblige. Let’s consider what the president has accomplished since the 2020 election.

Comment: Catherine missed chance to dispel shame of cancer

She wasn’t obligated to do so, but she might have used her diagnosis to educate a sympathetic public.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.