LETTERS: PICKETS LEFT AFTER WAGE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED

To the editor:

I am writing to correct statements made by Foeste Masonry Inc. in your newspaper concerning the reasons pickets were withdrawn from the Southeast Missouri State University construction project.

Only after Foeste agreed to pay, both retroactively and in the future, the additional $3 per hour in question did we agree to take down our pickets. We took down our pickets because we had informed the public, and the problem had been resolved. Without our picketing, Foeste would have continued to drive down area wages.

We have no quarrel with the university or with any other contractor in this issue. We are only concerned that Foeste Masonry was paying substandard wages, which the company has now conceded.

FRANK GARRIGA

Business Representative

Operating Engineers

Local 513

Cape Girardeau