Cardinal’s Version of Union Run-In Disputed

I was distressed to read the letter from Cardinal Roger Mahony (Nov. 24), repeating mis-truths about the union campaign at the Catholic cemeteries. Unfortunately, the facts are that the archdiocese used traditional anti-union tactics to wage its campaign against workers who wanted union representation.

The cardinal claims that his wage and benefit improvements were not linked to the union drive. However, when the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union began its organizing campaign, average workers’ wages were $5-$5.50 an hour.

The archdiocese started giving wage increases immediately after Cardinal Mahony had a meeting with Bill Robertson, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and Barbara Mejia, the manager of the California district of ACTWU. A few months later, the workers received another substantial wage increase. The facts are similar concerning health benefits.

I agree with the cardinal that there’s certainly nothing wrong with him visiting his cemeteries, but again the facts belie his claim. He made one personal visit to each cemetery during the union campaign and supplemented his visits with videotapes. His message to the workers was: If you vote for the union, you will go to the bargaining table with zero.

Los Angeles, today, is a tale of two cities: a city of affluence and hope versus a city of new immigrants faced with exploitation and despair.

The intimidation that workers at the archdiocese cemeteries endured is typical of anti-union campaigns faced by workers in this country. However, corporate executives seem not to be alone in denying workers their democratic rights to organize for union representation free of intimidation.

JACK SHEINKMAN

New York, N.Y.

The writer is president of the Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union.