DATE: Tuesday, August 19, 1997              TAG: 9708190006

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letters

                                            LENGTH:  133 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

UPS STRIKE

Man can't live on $55 strike pay

I cringe to think what happens to all those retirement funds that get sucked into the Teamsters' vacuum. Now it appears they have their greedy sights set on another successful industry, the United Parcel Service.

It boggles the mind to think any many would take an oath to defend an organization that would force him to walk off a job paying $1,000 a week to collect a measly $55 (news, Aug. 13). It shouldn't take long for the average Joe to figure out you can't even feed a small family on $55 a week, much less cover the other necessities.

Once the fear of losing one's home or transporation becomes a reality, will these same stalwart supporters still be willing to trust their unions, and believe the touted promises of their silver-tongued leaders?

This scenario reminds me of a steelworkers' strike in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. Thousands of men walked off their jobs for nine long months - their reward, a 50-cent-per-hour pay raise. If you drive through Pittsburgh today, you can see the long-range effects the unions had on the steel industry. The desolation reminds one of the ruins that were Greece.

It would be a tragedy to see another American industry destroyed the same way.

G. D. Lewis

Yale, Aug. 13, 1997

UPS, Teamsters are best in the business

The Aug. 11 letter ``UPS strike hurts me, your customer,'' really hit a bad nerve with me. Does the writer know the loyalty that the union member has to his business? If her husband were a striking member, then I am sure she would see it differently than freight stuck on a truck.

She also stated that her only recourse is ``not to be so quick to specify UPS as her shipper.'' The truth be known, her reason for UPS to do her shipping is because they are the best in the business.

The people in this country should realize one thing: If it is on your table, or in your mouth, then a truck brought it to you. If it was done correctly and expeditiously, it was handled by a Teamster.

Kevin P. Ughetto

Virginia Beach, Aug. 11, 1997

Health, welfare is crux of strike

I believe the whole UPS strike is over health and welfare, not part-timers and not money. The union is saying the company would lower benefits for non-union people; I don't believe that. The company's medical coverage for its non-union employees has always been better than the plan the Teamsters offer.

The union can't afford to give up the health and welfare money. If it does, it loses the ability to pay big salaries, get big cars and have big paid expenses. It sure can't afford these luxuries on the dues the members pay per month.

If the union told its rank and file what the real story is, they wouldn't be out walking the picket lines.

Kenneth J. Graham

Virginia Beach, Aug. 14, 1997

NORFOLK

Retirees deserve a boost, not a cut

I am one of the retirees affected by the 3 percent reduction to those receiving pensions from the city of Norfolk (news, Aug. 7). I've never before heard of a pay increase being granted and then taken away a year later.

In 1964 I proudly became a member of the Norfolk Police Department. I was ensured that there would be a 20-year retirement in the near future and that the retirement would be generous since the city wasn't participating in Social Security. Also back then 401k plans were nonexistent.

In 1988, an early retirement program was offered. Of course, any of us who were eligible had no Social Security nor the opportunity to contribute any meaningful amount of money into the 401(k) plan.

It seems apparent to me that our retirement fund is solvent and won't deplete its funds any time soon. As a matter of fact, I question why there is so much money in this fund when most of Norfolk's retirees receive benefits amounting to less than the poverty level.

Instead of taking away 3 percent of our retirement, we should be asking for a 30 percent or more increase. Does it make sense that our retirement fund is earning $88 million a year and none of it is being passed on to us who helped it grow? Not to me!

Earl Hanna

Virginia Beach, Aug. 8, 1997

Let city manager take a 3% pay cut

The city of Norfolk once again is taking money from employees, only this time it's the 3 percent raise given to retirees. The explanation by Deputy City Manager Darlene Burcham, that it was not meant to be permanent, is a disgrace. The retirees dedicated many years of service to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Norfolk.

A city that spends hundreds of millions of dollars on white elephants such as Nauticus and the MacArthur Center mall begruding city retirees a 3 percent cost of living raise is unfair. The city manager should take a 3 percent cut in his $132,000-a-year salary.

John M. Horn

Norfolk, Aug. 12, 1997

VIRGINIA BEACH

Biker-rally snub is the city's loss

I was disappointed to read that the Virginia Beach Hotel and Motel Association voted to not allow a motorcycle rally in early spring (news, Aug. 9).

I don't understand why an event that would bring in thousands of people who want to spend money and have a good time is not in keeping with the city's plan to try to get more people into the Beach area early in the season. This group has given millions to charities throughout the country. Did the idea of a lot of middle-class motorcycle riders not fit the picture of ``preferred'' visitor?

I think the city missed a great chance to have a good time.

Terry Ashenfelter

Virginia Beach, Aug. 10, 1997

MEDICINE

Terry Zahn's battle gives our family hope

I would like to thank The Virginian Pilot and Terry Zahn for publishing the June 1 story about Mr. Zahn's struggle with multiple myeloma. Thanks to that article, my family now has hope. We were devastated last August to learn that my mother-in-law had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

When we were told that it is incurable and that all we could hope for was that chemotherapy would slow down the disease, we were numb. Since this is a rare disease, I was surprised when I read about Mr. Zahn. I was even more surprised when I read about the stem-cell rescue he was hoping to have done.

The oncologist my mother-in-law was seeing hadn't told her this was an option. I sent her the article and she showed it to her doctor, who then did some research about the procedure with this cancer. We just found out last week that she is a prime candidate and hopes to have it started by Christmas.

I cannot adequately express our gratitude to The Pilot and Mr. Zahn for sharing his story. If not for this article, we would not have known about the stem-cell rescue, and we would not have the hope that we have now. There is a chance for remission.

We are grateful to Mr. Zahn. Our hopes and prayers are with him and his family.

Lisa Bernhard

Chesapeake, Aug. 12, 1997

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