Does Payne really believe unions urge a slower pace?

Letter to the Editor,

After reading Bill Payne’s letter to the editor in the Dec. 11 Western News, I have to wonder who or why anyone in the craft working on a hard money project would make a comment that slowing his work down for the good of his peers is how we work.

Having been an active member of the operating engineers for 36 years, I worked on one missile project, two dams, the development of two mines, a section of railroad grade and many miles of road.

In our original by-laws, it states eight hours work for eight hours pay up to the contractor’s discretion.

It seems some people have forgotten who built the infrastructure in this country, the sky scrapers, bridges, power grids, interstate system, new rails and many defense projects.

In closing, I would like to say there has always been room for non-union people, and I do know they work hard for their money like everyone, and I have seen quality work.

The point I mean to make is some projects take special training for various crafts.

Union or non-union, we are all in this together. The paycheck middle class have always been the backbone tax payers, we can’t hide a thing!

— Don Wilson

Libby