Letter: Setting record straight on workers’ rights initiative

Wednesday, May 20, 1998 | 10:58 a.m.

It seems those whining "champions of less government" want Uncle Sam to regulate the political contributions of Nevada's unions.

Why?

For the simple reason that our union donations go to those candidates who support union goals.

A union is by its very nature exactly what its name implies. We've joined together because there is strength in numbers. We also understand that we can leave the union at any time and enter the nonunion workplace.

As members, we've made a choice. We've chosen to work at our trade for a fair wage, to save toward a pension for our retirement years, to provide medical and dental insurance for our families and a safe work environment for ourselves. The union makes it possible to attain these modest goals.

And, yes, we also choose to support our leadership and the decisions they made regarding political contributions. We do this because the good of the whole outweighs that of its parts.

I suggest that Sheldon Adelson and his cronies take a step back and look at the big picture. Try to visualize construction of the Venetian resort without the benefit of the 3,000 or so skilled union craftspeople who show up for work each day.

The quality and quantity we bring to your job site (and other large projects along the Strip as well) cannot be matched by the local nonunion sector.

The point is business, government, unions, the entire community are all in this together. It makes no sense to shoot ourselves in the foot.

This misnamed measure has nothing to do with workers' rights and everything to do with politics. It's a complete sham.

Jesse Gilles