Most workers are proud employees

As a recently retired 23-year veteran of the Boeing Co. and proud member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 751, I must take the writer of the Thursday letter, “Machinists are own worst enemy,” to task.

I cannot say I’ve never met an employee who “hated Boeing and all it stands for,” but those types generally have a very short-lived career. The vast majority of my fellow employees and union brothers and sisters work continuously to better our company, our union and our skills. Bear in mind our union officials are elected, democratically, to serve in office from the ranks of fellow employees and share our values. Of the several strikes within which I have been involved, I can recall only one that was primarily about money. We struck for better working conditions, safety and to prevent take-aways (pensions, medical coverage, time off, etc.).

The writer would do well in the future to formulate his opinions through discourse with involved parties, not televised sound bites.

Jack W. Mathews Jr.

Stanwood