I have recently read that the mayor of our town has stated that he is not opposed to city workers forming a union. This is amazing for someone who does not know the difference in non-exempt salaried employees and exempt salaried employees. I am interested to know what experience the mayor has with labor unions.

Does Mayor Winfield know that there are escalating conflicts between governments and the unions representing their employees? Two states that have experienced this and have been in the national news are Wisconsin and Ohio, plus many cities. These states and cities found out too late that it is easy to negotiate with someone else’s (taxpayers) money.

If the mayor does not know the difference in exempt and non-exempt employees, which is basic managerial knowledge, the union negotiators will “pluck them like a chicken.” I am sure that the administration will say, “Oh, we will hire a labor lawyer.” In my limited experience, labor lawyers are paid much more than mayors and aldermen.

Unfortunately, we taxpayers will also be required to pay for that labor lawyer. Another issue that is frightening to me is that one alderman said he was not opposed to the formation of unions, but would need more information. I hope that he gets more information soon! I would surmise that neither the mayor nor that alderman have a clue what they are bringing to the taxpayers of Vicksburg or about public employee unions.

I have been told, unsubstantiated, that the current city employees with 20 years of service, regardless of age, can retire with unreduced retirement. To my knowledge, there is no employee in the private sector who can do that. If the union can improve that, they will also improve wages and benefits. If that is the case, taxpayers need to get out of town and let the mayor and union have it.

I have no issue with unions in the private sector; in fact they have made major strides in helping many employees achieve the American dream.

If the mayor and alderman want to be neutral and open, they need to talk to people who have a clue. Apparently one alderman is knowledgeable on this issue.

In my opinion, the mayor and administration need to concentrate on crime in this town and say “no” to a city employees union.

Ray C. McLaurin

Vicksburg