Editor: Re: Unions becoming increasingly irrelevant, letter to the editor, Sept. 6
Steven Austin's jaundiced view of unions appears to be focused on their leaders rather than the essential role they play in our economy and society.
After all, it was the power of unions that helped to bring in the changes to employees rights (workplace safety, benefits, etc.) and remuneration that boosted the middle class and thereby fostered the growth of North American economies in the post Second World War period.
In my view, there needs to be a fairer distribution of a nation's wealth than is currently enjoyed in the current weakened state of our economies, and trade unions have a vital role to play in negotiating the redistribution of the products of our economic system.
Detroit's bankruptcy was largely due to the actions of the auto industry rather than the power of unions.
The so-called Big Three car makers reacted poorly to the weakened dollar and high oil prices in the 1970s by continuing to produce unreliable gas-guzzlers and failing to compete effectively with more reliable and fuel-efficient European and Asian imports.
This led to pressure on wages and the movement of production out of Detroit, which then damaged the city's economy because spending by the workers fell.
Stephen Calvert
