I write in response to Stephen Ward’s claims (Oxford Mail, December 13) undermining trade unions.

It is a fact that workers, whether they are members of a trade union or not, are suppressed by oppressive undemocratic laws in communist, fascist and other repressive regimes, as opposed to unions in open democratic countries which are of enormous benefit to the working class.

It is a fact that in most free world countries since the early 19th century, trade unions have brought about, and continue to bring, vast improvements for the working class in pay and conditions, health and safety, working hours, pensions and legal representation.

It is also a fact that this came about inevitably and largely by trade unions through employment legislation lobbying the Labour Party.

I would agree with Mr Ward that there has been a steady decline in trade union membership, largely due to improvements in the workplace being available to all.

Naturally, workers see they have more protection and as a result have become less conscious of the need to either remain or join a trade union.

Mr Ward should, however, note the Labour Government has cut public sector jobs and, unfortunately continues to do so in this difficult financial meltdown.

Migration Watch found the value of unskilled immigrants to be of the equivalent benefit to this country of a Mars Bar per head of population. But this is extremely insulting and hurtful to the many men and women who have come over to this country, some as our brave allies from world wars, some as citizens of the commonwealth, and some from European Union members – and all have contributed greatly and continue to do so in our hospitals, care homes, schools, transport, armed forces, factories, local councils, and shops.

This is worth much more than the value of a mere bar of chocolate, and they are not to be made scapegoats by economies which are now experiencing financial problems.

Mr Ward says, historically, immigrants reach critical mass and then turn against indigenous populations.

What utter nonsense. When have immigrants over-run free countries?

He also claims communist rabble-rousers in irresponsible trade unions in the 1970s are now union leaders. However, there is a complete difference between socialism and communism.

Likewise, when deciding if a strike is a “friendly”, it has to be up to the British public to decide if they have been inconvenienced.

But those same members of the British public are mostly ordinary workers themselves – and in all honesty they don’t all blame strikes and poor old immigrants for the problems of this country.

MICHAEL HOLDER, Collinwood Road, Risinghurst, Oxford