In the June 6 article, “Union vote challenged” at Knight-Celotex, John Carr, spokesman for the International Association of Machinists, stated, “Workers at the Lisbon Falls plant were inspired by the contract that machinists negotiated at Bath Iron Works,” and “They saw what those people were able to negotiate in a tough economy … that can spark interest.”

The article says the K-C workers voted April 30.

How does Carr figure the K-C workers were “inspired” or “sparked,” when the Machinists Union didn’t start negotiating the Local 6 contract with BIW until May 5? The vote took place on May 18.

As in the past, Carr doesn’t know what he is talking about.

The article also stated the Machinists Union gained wage increases for Local 6.

What the Machinists Union gained for Local 6, it gave up in the other areas, resulting in almost no gain.

The fact is, the Machinists Union and its District Lodge 4 got hustled by the BIW negotiating team.

Being in a union can be a good thing. Being represented by the Machinists Union is not.

The K-C workers will find the IAM is more about collecting dues to support the lavish salaries of the International president, vice presidents and business representatives throughout the organization. In the 19 years the IAM has represented Local 6, they have sucked more than $20 million out of members’ pockets.

I have witnessed the Machinists Union’s servicing and representing ability, and it is useless as a bucket of spit.

Mickey Meader, Lewiston