The minimum wage is a good example of helping the less fortunate and protecting them from exploitation from potential sweat-shop owners. These laws, in my opinion, are a perfect example of what the framers of our Constitution were trying to accomplish.
This rambling about organized labor, unionized companies and closed shops is just that — rambling.
Companies are not forced into agreements with labor unions; they come to an agreement both parties can live with. This is not something that unions force on companies.
States have not enacted closed-shop laws. As a matter of fact, most states moved away from this. A closed-shop is a precondition to employment. This is illegal in Ohio and in most states.
I think what a lot of local and state governments require are companies who bid on the jobs to pay local unionized pay scale for that particular contracted job. This protects companies that have unions from unfair low bids by non-union companies.
The writer can state what he wants about the minimum wage and unions, and I’m sure that many will agree with him. But, in my opinion, if it weren’t for the labor laws and the labor organizations that worked so hard to get these laws passed, we would not have that “American Dream.” This country would be nothing but a modern-day feudal society.
John Wagner
Middletown