Undermining the Power of Organized Labor in U.S.

Re “Labor Study Is Alone Under Gov.’s Budget Ax,” April 8: The drive to undermine worker unionizing in this country began in the early years of the 20th century, when U.S. corporations began pouring millions, then billions, into shaping the U.S. people into their image of pacified workers and consumers through, among other things, the use of institutes and chairs at major universities. Very few members of the public know, care to know or understand the effect of corporate propaganda on all of our lives, and on worker organizing in particular.

One of the few rough spots for our corporate leaders was the National Labor Relations Board, created in the 1930s, assuring workers the right to form and join unions. Never mind the blood, sweat and tears that went into that victory. It was short-lived, however, and Taft-Hartley in 1947 began to return the status quo. It has never stopped. Union organizing has become, as we learn from the media and the very air we breathe, a subversive activity.

Rhoda Shapiro

Encinitas

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With characteristic ham-fistedness, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wipes out a small island of hope for working Californians who desperately need the help of academia to counter the overwhelming financial and legal superiority of recalcitrant employers. As a California taxpayer for 35 years, I want my money to go to such a program at the University of California.

Perhaps Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) should give Maria Shriver a call, so she can sidle up to “the governator” and coo in his ear, “No, no, no, no ... “ as she did in The Times’ interview with them while they were on vacation at a resort that working people could never dream of setting foot in (April 7). The timing of his latest “Austro-gaffe” couldn’t be better, as corporate bullies like Wal-Mart try (and fail, in the case of Inglewood) to turn democracy on its head and impose their will on the people.

Robert V. Scarborough

Lancaster

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Re “2 Bills Target ‘Big Box’ Benefits, Impacts,” April 7: I was under the impression that as Americans we worshipped at the altar of “free trade.” These two bills are ill-advised. Don’t the unions and Democrats have something productive they could be doing? Like resolving the workers’ compensation fiasco? As a small-business owner I am very concerned about when they will attempt to restrict the trade of small businesses.

Tom Anderson III

Palmdale