Unions and the E.P.A. NY times

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/opinion/l09unions.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin



Unions and the E.P.A.

Published: August 9, 2006

To the Editor:

“Union Leaders Say E.P.A. Bends to Political Pressure” (news article, Aug. 2) reminds us why we should care about unions.

In an era when corporate America often wields excessive influence over policy decisions, who will stand up for the public’s interests?

This time, 9,000 scientists and other personnel at the Environmental Protection Agency took a stand through their unions and sounded the alarm that public health could be compromised by the agency’s approval of toxic chemicals in agricultural pesticides.

Workers who daily perform jobs that could help or hinder public health and safety have historically relied upon the protection of their unions to stand up and call out decisions that could put us all in jeopardy.

So if you care about the health and safety of our environment and citizens, patient care in our hospitals and nursing homes, and the quality of education, you should care about the right of workers to form and participate in unions.

We must implore the E.P.A. to heed the warning of its employees and call on Congress to shore up protections for the right to organize so that those who represent our interests can continue to have a voice.

David Bonior
Carl Pope
Washington, Aug. 3, 2006
The writers serve on the board of American Rights at Work, an advocacy group. Mr. Bonior is the former Democratic House whip, and Mr. Pope is president of the Sierra Club.