
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 18, 1991                   TAG: 9103190403
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

EXECUTIVES BLAME ALL BUT THEMSELVES

YOUR FEB. 7 said the AT&T Phone Center store in Valley View mall was closed because of "high union wages" and "high rent."

AT&T bargains wage levels every three years. I'm sure that Valley View most likely told them what the rent would be. With the wages and the rent known factors before opening, I think we can clearly place the blame where it belongs.

Unfortunately, corporate executive today can't admit to mistakes or being inept, so they just blame the union, rent or anything else they can think of. Ever read "The Emperor's New Clothes"?

I believe the remarks made in that article reveal much about the way a large corporation thinks. Let's sum it up in one word: greed. For years they have polluted our streams, lakes and rivers, dumped their trash in our back yards and filled our skies with acid rain. The reason? Money.

They claim to be in favor of a strong economy, but send thousands to the unemployment line in order to wring out an extra penny's profit. AT&T's chairman of the board brings in more than $2 million per year. Lord knows how much top-level management cost AT&T's shareholders per year. The Phone Center employees have already taken a $3-per-hour pay cut to assist the company in cost-cutting; however we have yet to see any wage decreases at the top. Seems as if those who can least afford it always end up paying the freight. DAVID L. TUGGLE CHRISTIANSBURG

by CNB