Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006 | Gary Sutton (a retired CEO) talks about city leaders doing whatever the unions want. Guess what? Unions are comprised of working people, not business owners. The majority of the citizens in San Diego and any city in the United States are employees not owners. The unions have fought for the 8-hour day, the 40-hour week, healthcare, and retirement benefits. Some employers actually try to give benefits to their employees but are unable to do so if they have to compete with the likes of Wal-Mart. Our nation’s manufacturing jobs have gone to foreign lands, but you can get a job selling those Chinese goods for minimum wage. Don’t believe the hype that unions are bad. Big business tells the public that benefits are unaffordable one week, then they announce huge payouts to their own executives the next. There is a huge battle between corporations and labor going on in the United States. Thank god the San Diego City Council listened to local labor leaders. Gary Sutton states that council is going to pass on tax revenue as if people will quit buying groceries if a Wal-Mart isn’t built. Most groceries aren’t taxable, but since he claims the costs are higher in the union stores, the taxable items would actually generate more sales tax. The lack of healthcare benefits is destroying the inner city emergency departments. The citizens of San Diego must understand that the unions are fighting for you, the employee. There is nothing greedy about wanting a livable wage and healthcare for your family. Is saving 5 cents on a pencil and 25 cents on a gallon of milk worth losing your pension and watching your local E.R. close? Mexico has no union labor; does anyone want to work over there?