Americans are seeing why union membership is so vital in America. Unions or organized workers, if strong, could during a crisis such as the high fuel prices we are experiencing demand wage increases to keep up. With weak or no union representation workers are powerless to prevent greater class divisions in American societies.

Wages must keep up with price increases. With no bargaining power, the business sector can and does enjoy periods of windfall profits followed by a moderate loosening of the noose, followed by another round of price increases.

Americans of all classes do enjoy a never-before-seen standard of living, so good that moderate loosening of the noose easily pacifies the short-memoried masses. The business sector, realizing they are the benefactors of this Stockholm syndrome effect, has learned how to stick it to the consumer again and again.

When the party in power in Washington openly favors business and unions are in decline, nothing occurs to aid the consumer.

The answer to this catastrophe we are experiencing is extreme. We must demand an immediate increase in the minimum wage from the current rate to $12 an hour with no graduations over three or four years. What union membership we have must strike nationwide without delay. This includes the Teamsters driving the 18-wheelers. We must demand all closed shops be open for union vote. Only union strength can provide the relief from the present attack on the consumer.

Joe Stark

Norfolk