Public workers shouldn’t be allowed to strike

In the news recently, there have been a few articles about the teachers’ strike at Zion-Benton. I’m certain that my letter will antagonize that group and any others who support them.

First, I feel that the teachers or any other city, county, state or federal employees should not be allowed to strike, even though Illinois law may permit it. I feel that it is wrong.

If the employees of a major grocery chain were to go on strike, the public could always shop elsewhere. This is not the case when these government employees strike. There is nowhere else that the public can go.

Secondly, I feel that the teachers and the school board, if they cannot settle their differences, should then go to mediation.

Thirdly, if they do strike, they should be fired and any benefits, like health insurance payments by the school district, should be stopped immediately.

I’m always reminded of what President Reagan did when the air controllers went on strike in 1981. He fired everyone of them. And that’s the way it should be for the teachers and any other government employees who strike.

Larry King

Gurnee