Jan. 4, 2000
A breath of fresh air
I'm very glad that employees are finally starting to voice their concerns openly rather than huddling together in hope of not being overheard in a dark corner of a dimly lit room. Unfortunately, we still have those who bear the scars of fear and retaliation as noted by the letters written anonymously, especially by those courageous ladies.
To see the letters that have been printed in the Newsbulletin -- especially those of Tom Ortiz (Dec. 10), Criss Martinez (Dec. 13), Ternel Martinez (Dec. 15), Pete Ayala (Dec. 1), Frank Maestas (Nov. 29) and Gloria Mirabal (Dec. 2) -- is a breath of fresh air after a summer afternoon storm. We all know too well that lightning and thunder is the essence of a storm, so has it been with the storm associated with the 1995 RIF as described briefly by Chuck Montaño's Dec. 14 letter. Nothing is free in life. We all pay a price; some more than others. Hopefully, whether or not you were affected by the RIF, and I believe we all were, we will not forget the past. For those who do are condemned to repeat it.
It is clear that we must ask questions and evaluate the responses to our questions before we hastily act but just as important is who we ask the questions. Therefore, make sure that the answers provided are from credible and respected individuals.
--Manuel Trujillo, president, CLER