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Letter: Says unions 'grew out of need'

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March 7, 2010

I was a 30-year-old father of six when I was hired into the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department in June 1962. I managed to work 29 years before I retired as a lieutenant with a disability pension.

Mayor Robart stated Feb. 24 he believes the time might have come to abolish the Cuyahoga Falls workers' unions. There are several issues he has conveniently overlooked. Unions did not grow out of greed. They grew out of need! So workers would be protected from dismissal by people who may want "cronyism."

I was protected twice during my career. During the 1970s and the time the EMS was created, the union came to my defense twice.

After the Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department EMS transport was up and running properly, it has delivered millions of dollars to the city. Mayor Robart stated he knew the economy was recently heading down, yet he spent millions of scarce dollars to purchase property filled with rotting buildings. And today I think it looks like a Concentration Camp with its chain-link fences, concrete barricades and dirt piles. I believe the city is going to take a blood bath trying to get rid of the mess!

If Mayor Robart gets his wish to abolish unionism, wait a few years, call 911, asking for police or fire for help. Or if you have a utility problem, street or trash issues, good luck!

Cuyahoga Falls was given an award for being one of the 100 best places to live in 2009? Was it because of the mayor? Or was it the excellent union workers who serve and protect this city? I am placing my bets on the unionized people who do the actual day-to-day work.

Bill Tompkin

Cuyahoga Falls




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    Posted by CF BS Detector March 7, 2010
I'm glad more and more people are starting to see things in the city the way they really are.

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