Are unions needed to level playing field?

In response to the letter regarding Bonner County's low employment rate: Many manufacturing and corporate businesses relocate to Bonner County because they have been told it is an area that historically pays low wages to worker and nothing is done about it. Think of it as "domestic" outsourcing. In addition, Idaho is a state that loosely regulates the use of certain chemicals known to cause cancer in humans. One such chemical, becomes a carcinogen when inhaled in sufficient quantities and is routinely used in Idaho in aerospace and auto refinishing applications. Fewer manufacturing restrictions is another reason for businesses to relocate to Idaho.

Many Idahoans, working in above entry level positions, continue to earn less than $9 per hour. A single worker without dependents needs to earn at least $10.41 per hour just to afford the basics. A couple with two children needs a combined income of $29 per hour to afford shelter, food, clothing and transportation. These statistics are available online for anyone who is interested.

Low wages create a "ripple in the economy." Workers have to rely on social welfare programs to subsidize their needs, which is really the federal, local and state governments subsidizing local employers. In addition, think of the continuous strain on food banks, homeless shelters and free health clinics.

Besides employers not wanting to pay a living wage, there is also the custom of stripping employees of their benefits. Employees are told they will pay more toward health care, receive fewer personal time-off hours and lose other benefits that employees in other states routinely enjoy without continual coercion by management. Should an employee in Idaho have to "give back" two hours of holiday pay to his employer for each holiday falling on a work day just because the employers says so. Isn't this illegal?

Maybe we need more union representation in Bonner County. Does it take collective bargaining to level the playing field?

Bonner County needs to attract more honest, decent and forthright employers and few employers who are here for cheap labor and higher profits at the cost of the Bonner County workforce and their families.

VIRGINIA L. WITHALL

Sandpoint