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Politics : PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mr. Whist who wrote (33741)	8/31/2000 12:37:56 AM
From: Frank Griffin	Respond to of 769670

No, I have never been a union member. I am a small businessman. I can understand your concern and I totally agree with you that once a commitment or contract is made relating to retirement benefits or anything else that should be honored. I would endorse Congress, and hopefully they already have, making it unlawful or criminal to fail to properly fund a retirement plan that has been legally promised. We don't have a retirement program like large companies. We have a 401-K. When the plan is drawn up we commit to matching funds, vesting, etc. and the plan is submitted to the IRS for approval. We have to submit reports as to funding, etc and have certain requirements on paying the money to the financial institution handling the 401-K. Failure to conform could be criminal and/or carry very heavy penalties. I would think large corporations would be under similar controls. You don't mess with the money that is committed to the people who make the company go. I will tell you another story though. My wife spent many years with Delta Airlines. 27 to be exact. They were non-union. They were "gungho" Delta. In fact, the employees even, very voluntarily, bought them a a new 767. Employees could commit to 1 or 2% of their pay for a period to pay for the plane. The idea was concocted by one of the rank and file employees and everyone (nearly) bought in and they bought the plane. My wife loved Delta and her job. Her sister, 1 year younger, was/is a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines. As you may know they are constantly fighting with management. I have seen some of the newsletters from the union. They are warning the employee to not let the company take advantage of them. i.e. fly before 8 hours break, etc.. The bottom line to why I am telling you this is my sister in law doesn't like her employer at all. I know she makes serious money, has great benefits and has even taken a year leave of absence with benefits intact. Yet, if you asked her today she (may be too strong of a word but I doubt it) hates her employer. What I sort of gathered from that is that the unions foment contempt, mistrust and maybe hate for the very people they should be teamed up with to build a better company which should equate in to more success and a better life for everyone. Worker and management alike. Maybe I am dreaming but I have seen a great team respect in our small business. It should be possible.