Teamsters met our family need (ran on 9-14-11 Omaha World Herald Public Pulse)

[Omaha Steve]

I keep reading how people seem to think of labor unions as a bad thing. After reading David Getzschman’s Sept. 9 letter, I decided I need to inform people about the good side of labor unions. My late husband was a member of the Teamsters Union, Local 554.

In 1999, he died of melanoma cancer. Dur­ing his illness, the health insurance we had through the union paid for all of his medica­tions. One course of medication cost $3,000 a month — not something we would be able to afford by any means.

After his death, the Teamsters were still there for me. They provided my health insurance at no cost, a small pension and life insurance, which helped me get my life back on track.

I’d be the first to tell the world how many things the union did for me. I wonder how many companies would do that for the regu­lar employee. Our local union helps people in many ways every day and is not the bad big wolf, as some would have us think.

Susan Tafini, Springfield, Neb.

I've met Susan a few times at political events. Last Tuesday I was at the county caucus training. She came over after the meeting and told me her story. She then thanked me for everything I do for labor in the area. I had red eyes. Her letter ran the next day.

OS

[midnight]

1. K&R

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Kick and recommend

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. This is beautiful, and so necessary...

Thank you, my dear Omaha Steve, for this post.

:hug:

[Omaha Steve]

4. No thanks necessary

Her story needs to be told.

[ellisonz]

5. My Grandfather on my Father's side was a railroad union member.

He raised two children with its protection. Amen. :applause: