The title of the Daily Mail's Nov. 4 editorial, "West Virginia must fix policies that have hurt manufacturers," is very true.

However, the fix needs to be done now, by present officeholders of all party affiliations, and aggravating political divisions won't expedite the fix.

Industry and legislative leaders at the recent Industries of the Future - West Virginia Symposium made it clear that West Virginia has its work cut out for itself. This is a time when all West Virginians - Democrat, Republican, Independent, and others - must pull together to save manufacturing in the state.

Labor and management have realized that cooperation is essential. Democrats and Republicans are working together to fix Workers' Compensation and are passing medical malpractice reform.

Let's praise their accomplishments and give them and others the political will to do more. There is not much time left.

Jim Mills, plant manager at AFG Industries near Bridgeport, said it from the heart in his presentation at the symposium:

"AFG's labor and management have consistently addressed the difficult issues and changed as necessary to remain a competitive entity. Now, we need help. It does not matter who is to blame for the current situation with health care and Workers' Compensation.

"Changes to lower health care and Worker's Compensation costs have to come from three areas: A mindset change by all involved; education of all the West Virginia population; and most importantly, further legislative law changes that the judicial system will not destroy."

These issues are beyond political bickering. They are the lifeblood for survival, evolution, and growth of manufacturing in West Virginia.

Carl Irwin

Morgantown

Irwin was organizer of the symposium.