January 3, 2012

To the Editor:

In reading the article, "A Gathering Storm Over 'Right to Work' in Indiana", I 
couldn't help thinking of all the efforts around the country to weaken unions 
and impoverish workers. I thought of the workers who constructed the railroads, 
the workers in the steel mills in Pittsburgh and Youngstown, and those who worked 
in the clay pits of St. Louis. These were low paying jobs until workers 
organized in unions. These union workers brought about pensions, health 
insurance, decent wages, and the eight hour day; all of which are being eroded 
in a society that has no understanding of the history of union struggles. 

The argument put forth by Right to Work advocates that Right to Work legislation 
brings in new industry is fallacious. Tennessee, a Right to Work state, is often 
pointed to as a success in bringing in new industry like the Japanese auto 
plants. But it wasn't Right to Work that encouraged these companies to locate in 
Tennessee. It was lucrative packages of tax incentives, infrastructure 
construction, and other inducements offered by both the state and local 
governments. Companies are not encouraged to locate in states only or mostly 
because of low wages. In addition to tax incentives and infrastructure 
inducements, good schools, available housing, and low crime rates provide 
necessary incentives for locating in a community.

Harry E. Berndt

150 Parsons Ave.

Webster Groves, MO 63119

Phone: 314-962-1749

Email: hberndt1926@sbcglobal.net

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