Salt Lake Tribune | 1996-08-03 | Page 10

PAGE Al0 pinion The Salt LakeTribune SATURDAY,August3, 1996 SSNSSESSESOS SSOse OUR VIEW The Salt Lake Tribune’s Editorial Position Time to OK Comp Time wage for every hour worked overtime in a pay period, someone whogets compensatory time off for working, say, a 44 hour week, participates in breaking the law. Since, consequently, that means there's a lot of workplace lawbreaking going on nationwide,a federal bill allowing compensatory time needs enacting. Reasonable people — and reasonable corporations — ignorethe existing wage law against compensatory time off. A companymight fudge the schedule or blink when an employee does not show up. The worker might forget to keep track of overtime, and not recall the time taken offlater Thisillegalactivity occurs every day because the government's strict hourly wage lawignores common sense. When a company wants to give timeoff. and the worker agrees, that’s fair enough The U.S. House approved a measure Tuesday allowing employers to give workers the choice between free time and overtime pay It passed by a narrow 30 vote margin, with Republicans voting for it and most Democrats opposed. Thebill says an employee could earn as many as 30 days of compensatory time at the samerate paid in overtime. The comptime would haveto be scheduled with company approval. Republicans say workers want this flexibility. But Democrats fear companies will abuse workers by forcing them to take timeoff, rather than money. Organized labor — surprise, surprise — is opposed,saying it wouldresultin a pay cut for workers now averaging nearly $4,000 a yearin overtime. ‘The problem with these arguments is that they ignore reality: People already take timeoff, practically at will, by ignoring the law and working out a employer-employee deals. This measure would encourage more negotiation — and sanction the arrangements as legal. There are times when workers need money — and overtime — and just as often, there are times whenfreetimeis more valuable than money. Perhaps, employees needto go to a child's soccer game, or do extensive home repairs, or attend to other personal matters. PresidentClinton has hinted that he will veto thisbillif it passes the Senate His reasons have moreto do with polities — and labor support —- than the merits of the legislation. Indeed, at one time Clinton even supported his own version of a compensatorytimebill. Clinton’s initial instincts were correct — and he should support a bill that encourages letting employers and Byhis own account, doctors cleared him for return to work in the Dodger dugout following convalescence from a mild heart attack. The angioplasty he underwent apparently countered the coronarydifficulties that sent him to a hospital in late June. But rather than conclude the current baseball season, his 20th as Dodger manager, Lasorda ended a magnificent career, saying he prefers spending moretime with his wife, daughter, sonin-law and granddaughter. Since he also mentioned National League umpire John McSherry, Baseball Hall-of-Fame Dodger pitcher Don Drysdale and the late Dodger pitching coach Don McMahon, all fatal heart-attack victims, his decision also acknowledgedthat savoring the dividends of good health is a crucial quality-of-life factor. Of course. what more was there for TommyLasorda to accomplish? Another division title? Another National League pennant? One more World Series championship?Inhis 47 years with the Dodger organization, he experienced every success, including four World Series appearances and two titles as L.A. manager. At68. he’sat retirementage, But he was no ordinary salaried worker,nor is he bound for a rocking chair. He has been named, instead, a Dodger vice president, an assignment he says he's anxious to begin. What's instructive is his choice to forego the attentiona return to managing would have guaranteed In an era when notice and recognition seem universally pursued — tattoos, excessive jewelry, outrageous clothing and deliberately provocative opinionsif talent and genuine distinction are unavailable — it's refreshing to see someonestill in fame’s midst pronouncehe knows he's had enough A legitimate achiever, a man who deserved his accolades because he earned them with diligent work, perfected skill and acquired knowledge, Tommy Lasorda will certainly be missed as an on-the-field baseball fixture. All the more reason to respecthis bequeathing the actively conspicuous part of his calling to others, while he nowenjoys the next phase ofa life that evidently has many more rewarding, purely personal years ahead. It’s a serious problem, and Reich has been masterful at calling attention to his crusadeand winning public support. But inevitably, when you whip your troops into a fighting frenzy, there are likely to be someerrant shots and unsuspecting victims. Just ask 14-year-old Bart Bennett, who thought he had a great summer job. For picking up golf balls on the driving range. washing the golf carts and doing other chores at the Clinton Hill Country Club in Belleville, he was paid the minimum wage, received free golf and lessons and got his meals for half price But the job and its perks ended shortly hours he worked and how far he drove thegolf carts. After the investigation,the club was ordered to pay a $4,650 fine and stop making Bart and a 15-year-old coworker perform illegal activities. The law says that anyone under 16 can't work morethan three hours a day or 18 hours a week. Anyone under 18 can’t operate machineryor motor vehicles, including golf carts. The teen-agers violated both rules. Reich has 800 wage-and-hour inspec. tors to cover 6 million U.S. worksites. Last year, they managed to investigate nearly 6,200 casesofillegally employed minors. Most, we assume, focused onille- ment of Labor showed up and asked Bart such probing questions as how many tive about whom they investigate. ment must be more reasonable and selec- TheSalt Lake Tribune UTAH’S INDEPENDENT VOICE SINCE 1871 PUBLISHER Dominic Welch John W. Gallivan (1960-1983) Jerry O'Brien (1983-1994) || { 15), proclaimed majorperil from natural disasters to our storagesites of radioactive material. The voleano scenario was ridiculous in the extreme, which raises strong questions of the competency of the individuals proclaiming the peril. The birth of a volcanois a rare thing. Mostvolcanic action is from established volcanoes that have been around for millions ofyears. It is common for new-volcanoes to form as offshoots of existing active volcanoes, but thatis not an imminent danger in Nevada. Maybein Idaho. EDITOR James E. Shelledy EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR Harry ©. Fuller, Jr KEARNS-TRIBUNE CORPORATION,143 S. MAIN ST, SALT LAKE CITY, 84111 Sie Cook Defends Holy Matrimony Where to Write @ Whensubmitting letters to the Public Forum, please include your full name, signature, address and daytime telephone numbers. Information other than your name and the city in which you live are kept confidential B Keepit short. Concise letters developing a singie theme are morelikelyto be published Please type and double space W Letters are condensed andedited ® Because of the volume of mail received, not all submissions are published Mail to Public Forum, The Salt Lake Tribune, P.O. Box 867, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110 Our fax numberis [phone] The Energy Department site thereis in an area of recent volcanic activity that according to the geological reports I have studied is overdue for more eruption. Thereis no real reasonin the normal behavior of voleanoes to expect that it would put in its appearance with a big bang that blew sky high whatever occupied thatterritory before. It’s active volcanoes that have been perking awhile that blow their tops, The Energy Depart- mentsite might get buried, but thatis all. The worrywartsfearlightning strike of a radioactive waste site. The nature of lightning is such that if it struck a container of radioactive material, it would not go into the interior of the container. It would travel along its metallic exteri- were in flimsycontainersin flimsy build- after an investigator from the Depart- John F. Fitzpatrick (1924-1960) Thearticle, “Quakes, Twisters Put U.S. N-Sites in ‘Major’ Peril” (Tribune, July The worrywarts fear tornadoeshitting gal child labor employedin big garment industry centers like Los Angeles and NewYork and were more egregious cases than Bart's. Corporations and employers must assume more responsibility in abiding by child-labor laws, but the Labo: Depart- PAST PUBLISHERS some environmentalists say, we see a lack of reality. a radioactive storage site. That would be a problem if the radioactive material Sweatshops and Caddyshacks the world whoworkillegally Unrealistic Fears Whatis truth? Amongotherthings, itis reality, When we look for truth in what or. At most it might blister the paint at the spot whereit hit the barrel From The Chicago Tribune clared war on sweatshops in the United States and enlisted talk show hostess Kathie Lee Gifford to help him dramatize the plight of millions of children around Letters from The Tribune's readers time or when to take time off from work ANOTHER VIEW Labor Secretary Robert Reich has de- THE PUBLIC FORUM workers figure out when to pay over- Lasorda Defines Life Tommy Lasorda’s abrupt retirement from managing the Los Angeles Dodgers helps put someperspective in celebrity. Voluntarily departing center stage, the still prominent sports figure restores a degree of important balance between public andprivate life. SAIXX] Becausefederal law mandates workers be paid 144 times the regular hourly ings. ‘The worrywarts fear earthquake damage of radioactive storage sites. Earthquakes of the requisite magnitude are uncommon andof sufficiently local ef- fect that the chancesofthat is very small. What would be the consequences? The earthquake would not take the storage containers and fling them far and wide. There might be somespillage that would have to be cleaned up. The effect would be piddling comparedto the release of radioactive material that took place in the Nevada atomic bombtests. The worrywarts imagine a dam burst and accompanying great flood on the Co- lumbia Riverthat takes out the Hanford works. Reality, where art thou? VOLNEY WALLACE Murray Don’t Give Up Rights I noted with a sense of sadness the headline of July 29, “Freedom May Be Casualty of Blasts.” The story under it wenton to say that governmentofficials want more power “to prevent these events,” and that Americans are willing to accept higher security and more incon- Republican Merrill Cook's views on marriage and the family pezfectly match my views. We must send Merrill to Congress to defend the American family Rocky Anderson is completely out of touch with the voters in the 2nd Congressional District on many issues. Let's not send him to Congress to strip marriage of its divine, social and legal status. MARILYN PROMMELL Salt Lake City o Fleeing Liberalism In response to the letter by Charles Rogers (Forum,July 29), I am not a mem- conservative Christian. If he doesn’tlike the Utah approachto civil rights, he just about our right against self-incrimination? How aboutour rights of free speech level have been voted in by a majority to do the job that their constituents expect. rantless searches and arrests? What and assembly? The answers to these questions may well say a lot about American character. W. ANDREW McCULLOUGH Independent and Libertarian Candidate for Attorney General of Utah Orem a The people representingus at the state If I don’t like the way an elected person functions, I just vote against him/her in the nextelection. Andif the majority still vote them in, that is the price I must pay forliving in a free democracy BARBARA ANN STEER Salt LakeCity 0 Congress Should Fund Microcredit in Foreign Aid Bill Reading the editorial titled “Invest in Foreign Aid” (Tribune, July 1) was a refreshing sight. The bad newsis that foreign aid issues rarely evoke any active response past the periphery of Washington. The good news is papers such as The Tribune are choosing to publish editorials reaching the heart of communities, in- funds, a sentiment shared by some mem- Library Board for a new weapons policy that permits persons with a concealedweapons permit to carry a gun into a foreign aid fosters a dependence on U.S. money on the part of aid-receiving governments. Aid opponents argue that little where guns are and are not appropriate. LORA KOEHLER Sandy will be on the endangered specieslist. of violence? Are wewilling to allow war- How much of our precious constitutional rights are we willing to give up in answerto an occasional and isolated act bers of Congress as well, The beliefic that herlocal church, elementary school, grocery store, video store and used book store, since people with concealed weapons permits can legally carrytheir guns into any of these establisiments. Don't misplace blame with the library board: talk with your elected officials about men in marriage needs federal protection. 1 fear that unless we act, marriage thatis moreto his liking T seriously believe that may be why so many of us are leaving California and coming to Utah: to get away from theliberal ideas of the representatives and voters there. liberty nor safety.” lyn Wilson blamesthe Salt Lake County she should also keep her head down in Rocky's candidacy. Could this have some- thing to do with his stand on same-sex marriages?It's too bad that something as sacred as the union of a man and a wo- mayhave to move out of this area to one a little temporary safety deserve neither distrustful of foreign subsidies apart from humanitarian aid and disasterrelief banned all weapons from libraries becauseit conflicted with state law. If she feels unsafe in her locallibrary, rushing to distance themselves from up someoftheir liberty in order to obtain Don’t Blame Library Board forced to revoke an earlier policy that sionalDistrict, party stalwarts have been ber of the LDS Church, though I am a could not fail to remember the words of Benjamin Franklin that “those who give forming Americans of important decisions pending on Capito! Hiil. Polls indicate that many Americans are county library. Perhaps Wilson would be interested to know that the board was as their contender in the 2nd Congres- venience in their search for safety, 1 Oo Inherletter (Forum, July 30), Gwendo- Utah Democrats are reallyin a pickle this time. Since selecting Ross Anderson or no accountability exists between aid recipients and U.S, donor agencies, which makes it easier for governments to misallocate funds to the point where those who truly need aid rarely receiveit. The attention paid by your paper to the microcredit loan program was equally rejuveneting. The success of microcredit programs has created a beacon of hope amidst the dizzying mass of misused and inefficient aid programs. The objective of the microcredit programs is to provide small loans to poor families, particularly women, whouse it to fund cottage industries out of their homes and villages. Not only does this seed # sense of independence and self-reliance, butit fs the rudi- i c mentary foundation for sustained devel- opment abroad. The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, wherethis concept of small loans was pioneered, experiences a 98 percent payback rate, interest included, on the 2 million small loansit has entrusted mostly to women. A direct result is the creation of new jobs that enhance the overall standard of living. These improvements born of microcredit loans will not only benefit the aid recipients but the U.S. as well by creating new markets for our own exports. Currently, the foreign aid bill is awaiting passage. Despite the fact that the overall aid package has already been drastically slashed compared to last year’s budget, Congress has delayed earmarking any funding towards the tremendously successful microcredit programs. Even the World Bank, which won't invest in an area unless it can be assured of a return, has earmarked money for microfinancing projects. If efficiency, productivity and sustainability is what Congress seeks in aid programs, then microcredit should be unanimously approved. Constituents should write their representatives and senators and pledge their support for microcredit programs. SHAROLYN B. SURRATT National Council for International Heal Washington, D.C. A {