It has been my experience that people who write letters, condemning all union members, calling them "thugs." have probably never belonged to a union and have been making substandard wages all their lives with no pension benefits or health and welfare coverage and are working into their 60s with no hope of a decent retirement.

This envy has turned into hatred of anyone who wishes to organize any workers for better wages, benefits and working conditions and safety. Never experiencing the atmosphere of union brothers and sisters joining together for the benefit of employers and employees causes a lot of this type of ignorance.

Michael Ray Dillier

Collinsville