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| George Hooper served as IAM Southern Territory General Vice President from 1997 until his untimely death in 2003. |
In a recent letter to the editor of the Austin (TX) American-Statesman, Shirley Hooper, the widow of former IAM Southern Territory General Vice President George Hooper, concisely addresses the subject of why unions are needed to ensure fair wages.
Click here to read her letter in response to an article about how most Americans are still battling stagnant wages.
“How long are people going to put up with stagnant wages?” writes Hooper. “It seems to be the American way these days to hire people but pay them as little as possible. That is why unions are still needed. As my husband used to say, ‘Unions are the working man’s lawyer.’ He worked for a union until the day he died, and that is why I am living a comfortable life.”
“I am touched that nearly 13 years after his death, Shirley Hooper has found a way to keep George’s words pertinent,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. “Her letter does a service to him, and to the union movement that was a part of him.”
