THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, June 22, 1995                TAG: 9506220029
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   28 lines

SHUT OUT BY MEN

I read with great interest your recent series on affirmative action.

As a woman working in a traditionally man's field (truck driving), I have always been welcomed by the government contractors I worked for during the past 14 years.

Last year the government terminated the contract under which I was employed. Downsizing followed. I was laid off. As a driver with 15 years' experience and a spotless driving record, I fully expected to be hired by the first company I applied to. However, several months and many applications later I am still unemployed.

I have followed up on several positions I applied for, including one with a state agency. I have found that in many cases, the men who were hired had less experience than I and not-so-spotless driving records.

Affirmative action worked for me with government contractors. In the commercial world, it has done nothing for me at all.

ROBIN DAVIS

Norfolk, June 15, 1995 by CNB