The Register-Guard should respect the union
I recently had the honor of helping launch a local effort to recognize local people who contribute to the struggle for human rights and social justice. This awards program was announced on the 33rd anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.
The timing had special meaning for me because I am a member of AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. When King was shot in Memphis, Tenn., he was there supporting a strike by city sanitation workers who were members of my union. They were striking for respect, fair treatment and recognition of their union.
I also recently briefly canceled my subscription to The Register-Guard in support of the paper’s employees. These folks are not facing racial discrimination, but they are struggling mightily to get their employer to treat them and their union with respect, just like those Memphis sanitation workers were. The Register-Guard workers have been at it for two years now!
The Register-Guard has caused this fight by trying to reduce wages and remove many protections from the existing contract. The Register-Guard has spent tens of thousands of dollars on a Tennessee-based attorney to lead this fight. The Register-Guard has also broken the law several times in carrying out this fight, according to the National Labor Relations Board.
It’s time for The Register-Guard to truly act like a “citizen of its community” and reach a fair settlement with its workers. It’s the right thing to do.

Kurt Willcox

Eugene