To the editor:

In response to the June 23 My Call column written by Bill Milligan, the attorney for Mehlville Local 1889 of the Inter-national Association of Fire Fighters was absolutely correct in the contents of his letter to the Mehlville Fire Protection District Board of Directors as to its fiduciary responsibilities.

He also is doing his job representing his client, which is the union.

It is quite obvious that Mr. Milligan does not believe that working people should be entitled to union representation or collective bargaining agreements.

In fact, his article sounds like do it my way or take the highway and don’t stand up for your rights or you will be dealt with swiftly and forcefully. That just doesn’t sound like a way to create a good working environment in our community.

It’s time for the fire district board and the union to address the concerns of the taxpayers and its also time to realize that Mehlville firefighters are here for our community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

They deserve our respect and a right to bargain in good faith.

Mr. Hilmer and Mrs. Stegman were elected to manage the fire district, not break the union.

I’m also glad I don’t work for Bill Milligan at the Call.

Jerry Foerstel

Oakville