THE CHIEF-LEADER welcomes letters from its readers for publication.
Correspondents must include their names, addresses and
phone numbers. Letters should be submitted with the understanding
that all correspondence is subject to the editorial judgment of this
newspaper. Letters can be e-mailed to: RSTEIER@RCN.COM or
mailed to: Richard Steier, Editor, 277 Broadway, Suite 1506, NY, NY
10007.

DRIVING DOWN WAGES

Driving Down Wages

To the Editor:

The emotion-laden and insulting letter of Mike Gimbel is filled with ignorance and lack of perception about the immigration problem.

First of all, if employers did not have at their disposal this massive wave of illegal immigrants, they would be forced to do what they have historically done when they experienced difficulties in attracting workers. That is, raise wages and improve working conditions.

The jobs that illegal immigrants do now, especially in construction, meat-packing and restaurant work, were once good-paying unionized jobs done by Americans and legal residents.

Second, Mr. Gimbel ought to check the statutes concerning immigration violations. It is a crime, and an even greater crime for employers who violate this later - one that can bring jail time for them.

Third, the cost to society of unlimited immigration is social and economic disintegration, as can be seen in cities that have overcrowded classrooms, overburdened hospitals and dangerous housing conditions.

If Mr. Gimbel believes in unregulated immigration from the four corners of the world, then he ought to say so. If not, then he ought to support the enforcement of our immigration laws.

Finally, the childish and silly name-calling and lack of foresight in Mr. Gimbel's letter is symptomatic of one reason the union movement has suffered a serious decline.

RICHARD LAURIE, Conductor, New York City Transit