All state store unions are not alike: We support Sunday sales
The Feb. 13 editorial "Wine Whine"misses some very important facts. In the Post-Gazette's rush to condemn the state-run Wine and Spirits Shoppes, it neglects to make the important distinction between the members of the Independent State Store Union and other Wine and Spirit Shoppe employees. The ISSU, the group that was protesting Sunday sales, represents the managers of the Wine and Spirits Shoppes. However, the United Food and Commercial Workers represents the majority of the workers at these stores, and Local 1776, the union representing the majority of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board clerks, supports the Sunday sales program.
The ISSU is protesting Sunday sales because of its own failure to effectively represent its members. It is not a real union, but only a "meet and discuss" association with no collective bargaining rights. It can only agree to a salary dictated to it by the state. As a result, ISSU members do not get premium pay for working on Sundays. That is the real reason the union is protesting the opening of the Wine and Spirits Shoppes on Sundays.
UFCW Local 1776 has been a leader in innovation at the state-run liquor stores, and that will continue. It was through the efforts of the UFCW and its clerks that many of the marketing and customer service improvements at the Wine and Spirits Shoppes have been implemented.
From accepting credit cards to training specialty wine stewards to advocating Sunday sales, the UFCW Local 1776 has always put the needs of the Wine and Spirits Shoppes' customers first. We are currently discussing a program with the Rendell administration that will have the PLCB leasing space inside some supermarkets so that consumers will be able to buy their wine with dinner.
Despite the fact that this will undoubtedly bring back ISSU protests, we will continue to work with the administration, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the General Assembly and our members to improve service, while continuing to enforce the law and prevent the sale of alcohol to minors and the visibly intoxicated.
While we appreciate the Post-Gazette's concern for our customers, to put the UFCW and its dedicated clerks in with the short-sightedness of the ISSU is an insult to all the hard-working, well-trained clerks in each and every store across the commonwealth. We hope the PG will join us in constructive criticism and help make the PLCB the best system that it can be, and really put the consumers' concerns over the PG's advertising revenues, which would multiply exponentially with the emergence of competing chains of retail liquor stores.
WENDELL W. YOUNG III
President
UFCW Local 1776
Plymouth Meeting
We're revenue producers
I am writing in response to the Feb. 20 letter "Not Advanced Work." In this letter, the writer expressed his hatred of the liquor store system and cleverly noted that workers need not know more than "Cash Register 101."
This, however, could not be further from the truth. As just a part-time employee, I have duties including but not limited to: unloading trucks weekly of 250-500 cases, preparing licensee orders, placing special orders, stocking shelves, loading merchandise for customers and checking inventory; mopping, waxing and buffing floors; and cleaning windows and shelves. These duties are performed in between ringing sales on the register.
The writer goes on to refer to liquor store employees as "tax-funded parasites." Once again the writer is incorrect. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is a completely self-sufficient agency; it operates on a small portion of the revenues it generates. The millions of additional revenue dollars that we liquor store employees generate are deposited directly into the state's General Fund. Therefore, I do not see myself as a "tax-funded parasite" but as a "tax-funding producer."
Then the writer states that with any luck we liquor store employees will be "looking for employment." It is sad to hear that one might wish that 3,000 Pennsylvanians would lose their jobs; however, if you would like us "tax-funding producers" to leave, you had best find a way to generate more than $350 million every year, or other taxes will have to fill the gap.
BILL JESTER
Elizabeth Township
A world in trouble
I noticed in the paper that the state stores were closed on Presidents Day. Yet it is OK to open on God's day? What is wrong with this picture?
People wonder why the world is in trouble. Honor our presidents, but not our God.
ARLENE LeCLAIRE
Brookline
Consider gun risks
We were a little disturbed by the narrow vision of Vincent Egry's Feb. 17 letter, "Arm Your Home to Prevent Criminal Invasions." He says, "If every home had a shotgun . . . the occurrence of home invasions would return to near zero." What he fails to mention is that suicides, accidental shootings, domestic violence and other assaults would skyrocket -- not to mention all the street crime from the guns that are sure to be stolen.
There is a downside to gun ownership that needs to be considered. Mr. Egry is right to say that we have the right to defend our homes, but each person must look at his own situation and make an informed decision. Wouldn't a baseball bat or pepper spray -- even a stun gun -- be adequate protection for most of us?
This is a perception issue. For instance, did you realize that there are more gun suicides than homicides in Allegheny County? They just don't make it into the papers. Home invasions have made a lot of headlines lately, but your chances of experiencing one are minuscule. Even less likely is getting to your gun in time; home invaders rely on the element of surprise.
Also, you would have to have the gun readily accessible and presumably loaded 24 hours a day. A dangerous habit. Believe me, you do not want to add your name to the list of people who have lost a loved one to gun violence.
JEANINE SMOLAREK
President
Allegheny County Chapter
CeaseFire PA
Mt. Lebanon
About protecting yourself
Hoo-rah to Vincent Egry for his advice to arm your home against home invaders ("Arm Your Home to Prevent Criminal Invasions," Feb. 17 letters). I have done exactly what he has said and feel that my home is well protected from invasion.
The police departments of the area (and all areas) are better suited to investigating and solving crimes than preventing them. The chances of an officer being at your door at the moment of trepidation are slim to none. The cowards who invade the homes of our elderly and defenseless understand that very well.
While the price that Mr. Egry suggests for a shotgun may be a little low, his opinion is right on the money!
I am not a National Rifle Association member, nor a member of any shooting organization. But I recognize that my protection is best served by my own hand, and not relying on someone else's.
The only addition I would make to Mr. Egry's letter is if you heed his advice, please learn how to use the weapon and how to handle it safely and be sure that you can use deadly force. In the majority of situations, the appearance of a firearm alone is enough to scare away offenders without a shot being fired, but if the need arises, one must be able to use the weapon effectively.
JIM DeWEESE
North Sewickley
Fred Rogers was humanity at its best
In memory of our beloved Fred Rogers, we in Pittsburgh should set aside a day to celebrate the humanity of this magnificent messenger of peace, compassion and love.
Fred Rogers' contribution was not only to the children of America but also to the children and peoples of the world.
His compassion, understanding and love for our neighbors transcended all boundaries of nations, races, cultures and religions. He spoke to all of us. His calm, measured and reassuring voice told us of universal values that know no boundaries.
In the days that followed Sept. 11, 2001, when as a Bangladeshi-American Muslim I cringed in searing pain with the blasphemy that the terrorists committed in the name of Islam, it was Mr. Rogers' reassuring voice that I turned to.
His unconditional love and acceptance of our differences told me that it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood. May his soul rest in peace.
TANVEER K. HOQUE
Elizabeth Township
In God's hands
With open arms, God has welcomed Fred Rogers into His neighborhood.
ROBERT MATCHETT
Zelienople
His calming influence
The death of Fred Rogers has left an immense hole in the heart of the American psyche. While he was not a politico, Mr. Rogers was able to make sense of this foolish and crazy world to many generations of children.
What is unsettling is that as this nation now embarks on an uncertain future, Mr. Rogers won't be there to make that same contribution.
Mister Rogers the TV icon will be missed. Mr. Rogers the human being will be missed even more!
GERRY VESELY
Peters
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