Fallout From a Secretary’s Complaint About the Executive High Life

After reading about all the expenses laid out (birthday parties, private jets, remodeling of homes and retreats), I wonder how much money will be left in the budget when our current union contract (Office & Professional Employees International Union) expires Sept. 30. In the last three-year contract we ended up with a 2% yearly raise, while inflation in the Los Angeles area averaged 5% to 6% a year.

For those of us who use the private medical insurance through the company, the employee’s share went up almost 100%, forcing many of us to join a health maintenance organization.

Let’s hope with Sony’s purchase of Columbia that when it’s time to negotiate a new contract for all the service people who help make the company operate efficiently, Sony/Columbia will find room in the budget to accommodate all its union employees with a realistic contract offer.

DAVID B. LINN

Los Angeles