Don’t Need Unions

I read another Harry Bernstein management-bashing column, “Lewis’ Denunciation of Labor Laws Echoes 40 Years Later,” on March 1.

His premise never ceases to amaze me: that companies are simply out to suppress workers’ rights to make a quick buck and that altruistic unions must survive and prosper for the good of America. In the meantime, he encourages more and more legislation to “protect” the worker.

Why can’t he come to the inevitable conclusion that the drop in unionization in America is not due to so-called Reagan anti-unionization, but rather to corporate America’s realization that the better you treat your work force the more loyal and productive workers become? Unions are losing more elections not because of massive company campaigns but because they simply don’t need a union when their company treats them with respect. More companies are getting employees involved, recognizing them and paying a fair wage because employees deserve it, discarding the old “my way or the highway” attitude.

Bernstein should realize that this country would be better off with fewer lawyers, legislation and unions.

STEPHEN R. BECKER

Long Beach