WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: WNYLaborToday.com received the following Labor Letter To The Editor submission from Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 7420 President Ove Overmeyer, whose Union represents Library Workers in the City of Rochester:

It’s a race to the bottom.

A generation ago, non-Union workers often welcomed news of improved wages and benefits for Unionized Employees, recognizing that a rising tide lifts all boats. 

However, at a time of sacrifice and insecurity, many would prefer to sink their neighbor's slightly bigger boat while wistfully hoping for a glance at a yacht in a gated marina. 

We affectionately call this phenomenon - "the race to the bottom." 

It's exactly the “conquer and divide” strategy the GOP and global corporations implement and hope for.

The American Middle Class largely exists because of Unions.

It would be a tragedy of Greek proportions if, in frustration, resentment and fear, members of that class were to turn on Labor and bring about their mutual destruction. 

We should not be rewarding corporate greed and malfeasance with yet more tax breaks and a blind eye to windfall bonuses.

And don't punish Unions for whatever success they've had protecting members and holding on to an ever-dwindling power base of American workers.

That's just plain evil and anti-American.