Bernie Sanders will build a strong middle class

To the editor:

Bernie Sanders is a strong advocate for middle class union workers.

Unions are the essence of the middle class. They provide equal pay among your male and female counterparts, health benefits, paid vacation and sick, safe working conditions and the right to bargain. Unfortunately, private sector jobs usually don't provide unions for their employees, therefore working longer hours for little pay, poor working conditions, no paid vacation, sick and maternity leave.

Sanders has stood by union workers since his time as mayor of Burlington, Vt., in the 1980s. He has joined picket lines on many occasions and stood on the Senate floor to back bills to help increase the right of workers to join unions.

Sanders stated that the middle class was the envy of the world 40 years ago, but now faces a decline. In order to strengthen the middle class we have to restore workers rights to bargain for better wages, benefits and working conditions. Sanders has proved himself to be the best Democrat to build a stronger middle class and for workers to have the ability to join unions in private sector jobs without backlash from their employer.

Jenny Arnold

North Liberty