Letter: Report on union much appreciated

We were surprised to read that Jim Arnold considers Local 226 to be "totally separate" from HERE. The fact is it is a local chapter of the International Union, bound by union bylaws to pay annual per capita dues. The Culinary uses organizers from the International and HERE has loaned $5 million to the Culinary since the Las Vegas local is more than $1 million in debt.

Also, Jim Arnold receives additional pay from the International and so does Culinary Staff director D. Taylor. We think it is unfair for Arnold to say the International is "separate" when it's bad news, but then cash a paycheck from it. You cannot possibly separate the two.

Finally, we think it is misleading for Arnold to say that Local 226 is audited annually and that makes everything OK. But don't take our word for it. Read what a federal investigator had to say about union audit practices: "The International Union audit staff consists of five individuals, only one a professionally trained accountant. Four of these five are paid $63,250 a year. The fifth auditor... is paid $12,500 more than the others and has no degree in accounting. The auditors see themselves as providing a service to the administrators of local unions, many of whom have very limited knowledge or experience in administrative matters."

Thank you for letting us set the record straight.

Bruce G. Esgar, President, Nevada Employees For the Right To Work

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