Dear editor,

Do unions really look out for the welfare of their members? I have been a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for 50 years. I have never been an office holder or run for office in the union. I have been appointed several times to act as a judge during the election of officers in the union. This involves watching the balloting to be sure voters are members of the union and each member has one vote. Then the judges count the ballots. It is a democratic election, which President Bush claims as one of the most important reasons we are fighting in Iraq -- to give the Iraqi people a democracy and free elections.

I have nothing but good feelings about the union. The union was created for one reason. That reason is to improve the living standard of its members and all working class families in our country. The governor claims he loves the union members, but hates the union bosses. The union bosses he hates are nothing but union members who were elected by its members. The implication by the governor is that the elected officers of the union have a hidden agenda that the members disagree with. The non-secret agenda of the officers is and has always been to improve the standard of living for its members. Our elected officers have always treated me with respect, and I'm still treated with respect and concern even though, as a retired member, I no longer pay union dues. The union officers and members of the union continue to protect the retirees with health and welfare coverage and cost of living increases to our retirement. The union does not have to look out for retirees, but it does. My wife and I and other retirees are very grateful for the union's generosity. Especially when we see many working people losing their pensions and the health and welfare that was supposedly guaranteed.

If you have any concern at all about the future of working Americans, you will vote no on 75. This measure is designed to further reduce the political strength of the union to protect its members and improve the standard of living for its members.

I have never met another union member in my 50-year membership who was not supportive of having his standard of living improved. And that includes Republican and Democrat members.

Bud Huss

Napa