To the editor:

On Aug. 8, the Journal-World reported per capita income for Lawrence is $30,594. Lawrence now ranks 258th out of 363 metropolitan areas in this category. Where will better jobs come from? In 2007, the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington set out to define a good job. They determined three requirements: jobs paying $17 an hour or $35,000 annually, access to a retirement plan or pension and employer-sponsored health care plans of any level of coverage. Of 140 million American jobs, only 23 percent met the definition. Even worse, 29 percent were designated bad jobs, jobs that failed to meet even one of the criteria.

American workers have their backs to the wall. They need help. Union membership has fallen from percentages in the mid 30s in the 1950s to 12 percent today, and with that, a decline in wages, pensions and health care. Polls indicate a majority of workers would support union representation if given the chance free from employer threats and intimidation. Passage of the Employee Free Choice Act would help level the field for workers against anti-labor organizations, particularly the No. 1 lobby in America, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The EFCA has passed the House but languished in the Senate. Only two members of the Kansas congressional delegation of six have voted for its passage. Care to guess which two? Profit is as American as a good job, decent wage, health care and a secure retirement, isn’t it? Happy Labor Day, America.

Alan Hickey,
Lawrence