Letters extol virtues of unions, explain Lake Lawrence’s dire state, and urge climate action
Want a union? Now’s the time to act!
I’ve worked about 20 years as a registered nurse at Providence St. Peter Hospital, the past three years in surgery recovery (PACU). I dedicate my work hours to taking care of people. Like most of you, I wake up in the morning, go to work, and come home in the evening. We live our lives.
One thing most of us can agree on is that we’d like more security in our lives: competitive pay, better health insurance, protection against a bully boss and maybe even a little say in how our workplaces operate. We want to make things better.
As a UFCW 3000 union nurse, I can tell you that with a union at work, this is all possible. Without a union, you are at the whim of the employer. They can even fire you for no reason at all in most non-union workplaces — that’s the law.
If you’ve ever thought about organizing a union at work (which is your legal right), now’s the time. With the election of Donald Trump as President, many of us are rightly concerned. Whatever comes, you’d be much better off with a union at work, with protections for your wages and benefits in a contract and be able to collectively take action.
Sure, nothing’s perfect and everything of value takes time and effort, but life at work is far better with a union. If you are interested, reach out to UFCW 3000 or another local union and learn more.
Andy Dusablon, RN, Lacey
Toxic algae bloom closes Lake Lawrence again
For the second time in two months, Lake Lawrence has been closed to all water-related recreational activities as lake water samples taken Nov. 19 showed microcystin levels at 1,431 micrograms per liter (ug/L). The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife public boat launch is closed, and everyone is to remain off the lake.
The lake will remain closed until test results show toxicity levels below state guidelines.
The stated mission of the Lake Lawrence Lake Management District (LMD) is to control noxious, invasive and recreationally limiting nuisance aquatic vegetation. Toxic algae mitigation is a completely different and expensive lake management mission that the LMD is considering adding as it prepares to renew.
Numerous studies have been conducted to identify the problems with the lake. Lake Lawrence is a eutrophic lake with extremely high phosphorus content. This was caused in large part by the diversion of the Deschutes River into Lake Lawrence by the state of Washington for 20 years in the early 1900s. They did this to create a reservoir that provided water to the Olympia Power & Light Company at the Deschutes Falls Power Plant.
The sediment that flowed into the lake from the river — just like what happened to Capitol Lake — filled the lake with over 20+ feet of highly nutritious phosphorus-laden sediment. You can get a complete history of the lake by clicking this link and watching a 15-minute YouTube video appropriately titled, “Death of a Lake.”
Barry Halvorsen, Yelm
Taking climate action
Members of Zonta of South Puget Sound (ZSPS) recently joined Yelm Future Farmers of America (FFA) members to plant trees with the Nisqually Land Trust near Eatonville. ZSPS is affiliated with Zonta International, and one of ZI’s campaigns is “Zonta Says NOW to Gender Equal Climate Action.”
Working with the Nisqually Land Trust to restore salmon habitat is a simple action, and we hope others in the community will consider taking climate action as well. There are many local environmental organizations to support. We also want to encourage city and county governments to do more to protect land and trees that help mitigate the effects of climate change.
Connie Campbell, Olympia