Ok so the grocery stores here in Southern CA went on strike and managment has locked out workers from sister stores.. also they have put letters in all paychecks telling union workers how to resign from their job and ALSO how to resign from the union.. ugh..

So once agian if you live Anywhere where there is a Ralphs, Vons, or Albertsons please be sure to not go through the picket line and shop at those stores until the strike is over.. Go to Trader Joes, Wild Oats, Gelsons, Bristol Farms, or your local farmers marekt! if anything gather up some friends, pack some snacks and take it down to the picket line, they will be striking 24 hrs. a day.. they need support.. remember these are people who you see everyday when you go to the store, the cashiers who help you out, the baggers who help carry your stuff out, the people who help you in the deli.. and it's EXTREMLY hard for them to decide to go on strike, and the least we could do is support them right now..

THE WORKERS UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!


http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/101203_nw_grocery_strike.html


Clerks at Kroger Co.'s Ralphs, Safeway Inc.'s Vons and Albertsons grocery stores went on strike late Saturday after negotiations between union representatives and store officials broke off, with health care coverage a key sticking point.

The companies operate about 900 stores from San Diego to Santa Barbara and control 60 percent of the Southern California market.

Officials with the United Food and Commercial Workers union initially said strikers would only target Vons and urged the companies not to lock out workers from the other stores.

The supermarkets, however, said a strike against one company would be considered a strike against all three. In a joint statement, they said Albertsons and Ralphs would lock out employees during the dispute.

Plans were in the works to "ensure that stores remain open and staffed," the statement said. Sandra Calderon, a spokeswoman for Vons, said those plans include using temporary workers.

Many of the union's 70,000 clerks began picketing outside Vons markets after last-minute talks involving a federal mediator broke down.

The chains want workers to pay more for health benefits, citing a sluggish economy, rising health care costs and increased competition from nonunion rivals such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Vons president Tom Keller said the proposal does not call for wage reductions and asks employees to pay $5 a week for individual health care coverage and $10 to $15 a week for an entire family.

The union called on Southern Californians to honor picket lines and shop elsewhere. Under their contract, warehouse employees and truck drivers can also choose not to cross picket lines, said Paul Kenny, president of Teamsters Local Union No. 630.

Grocery clerks work a minimum of 24 hours a week, with 70 percent working part-time. They earn, on average, about $15 an hour, said Rick Icaza, president of UFCW Local 770 in Los Angeles and one of the negotiators.

The union wants the companies to maintain health care plans and provide raises of 50 cents an hour the first year and 45 cents an hour the following two years, Icaza said.

The last time the grocery workers went on strike was 1978, with the walkout lasting less than a week.

Honor the workers on the picket line by refusing to shop.

Everyone needs decent health care.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~1693253,00.html

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I, 'But Joe, you're ten year dead'
"I never died,' says he

"Joe Hill ain't dead,' he says to me.
'Joe Hill ain't never died,
Where workingmen are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side'"

error

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I, 'But Joe, you're ten year dead'
"I never died,' says he

"Joe Hill ain't dead,' he says to me.
'Joe Hill ain't never died,
Where workingmen are out on strike
Joe Hill is at their side'"

I have tried to find out exactly why the workers are striking and all I found out was that the stores wanted the workers to contribute $5.00 per week...or $10.00 for a family to their health benefits. I think that is amazing considering that I have to contribute over $50.00 each week to mine.

I know I make more money per week than they....but still that contributing to your health plan is a way of life these days and I work for a health organization.

Also, in the real world, we are not guaranteed a wage increase. It is based on performance and given on merit. It should not be guaranteed.

If those are the reasons for the strike...then I don't agree with them.

It's a beautiful thing when thousands of jobs become available in these difficult economic times. Similarly, it seems strange that so many highly-payed low-skilled workers would walk away from their jobs when such jobs are so rare. C'est la vie.

Asking workers to pay up to $60 a month for health insurance is the same as giving them a $60 reduction in pay. And the executives calling for this are living high off the hog with bloated salaries and assistants to do any work they don't feel like doing. If the workers lose this strike it will be a tragedy for them and a blow to workers everywhere, both in the public and private sectors. If the millionaire grocery chain owners win the victory will be used to attack all other workers' health benefits, under the argument that this is now "a way of life." This vicious attack on working people has to be smashed. Don't cross the picket lines to shop! Don't be a scab!

Maybe these workers should have paid more attention in school and they wouldn't be in the situation they are in. I have no pity on people who pissed around when they should have been studying and making good grades.

I am confused about the whole situation with the Von's employess going on strike. I read in a previous post that workers are getting paid between $10- $15 dollars an hour. I heard it was $18/hr at the store in Pacific Beach where I live. As far I could find out the minimum wage in CA is $6.75. http://www.dir.ca.gov/IWC/MinimumWageHistory.htm
I worked in a grocery store when I was younger and I got paid minimum wage. Oh, and health care wasn't even offered - except for managers. These employees need to realize that they don't have it that bad. If you make $15 /hr and they want $5 a week extra, well you can do the math. GET BACK TO WORK. Maybe the stores should just hire non-union immigrants who will appreciate what they get paid. My mother is a nurse and she gets paid less than these people do, and all they do is push buttons on a cash register or bag groceries.

"These employees need to realize that they don't have it that bad."

I doubt it was the employees' idea. I imagine the union fat cats concocted the strike to attempt to reaffirm their relevance.

I guess that since you think that paying an extra 60 dollars a month is no big deal, why don't you pay it to me? Please leave me an address where I can contact you so we can talk about how you will get the 60 dollar check or money order into my bank account each month. Or, if you prefer, I can give you instructions on how to give it to KPFK, the Progressive Magazine, the Socialist Party, Food not Bombs, Z, various peace groups, and other worthy causes.

Please see the letters to the editor section of today's LA Times - it may alleviate some of your gross ignorance and prejudice. The letter explains that grocery store employees include MENSA members, former teachers, and many other well-educated and intelligent people who, because of the gross distortions of this capitalist economy, are virtually forced to work in grocery stores in order to support their families. Ironically, some of them took the jobs in the first place because of the health benefits. You can be sure that the companies did not mention abolishing or reducing the benefits when they were recruiting intelligent people to work in their stores. Remember, a scab is the lowest possible life form, and that's what you will be if you cross any picket lines.

Well, Ms. Snotty, maybe you didn't notice because you are so busy with your highly prestigious job, but over 97 percent of the grocery workers voted to strike. Maybe you should do a little research before you shoot your mouth off and make a fool out of yourself.

So that I can cease to patronize them again for carrying food laced with hydrogenated oils, sugar, unhealthy quantaties of fat, chemicals - pesticides, preservatives and "flavor" "enhancers?

Buy Organic.

Support sustainable farming and eat healthy food.

... the Socialist Party, Food not Bombs, Z, various peace groups, and other worthy causes."

Worthy causes? I'll go along with Food not Bombs, since they're feeding the hungry, but the others?

Sheesh. Flush your money down the toilet; it'll do society more good as sludge.

I am in full support of the employees of these grocery chains who are willing to stand out on the picket lines for 14 hrs at a time in order to effectively make their points and make the public aware of the ridiculous concessions that are being offered to them. With regard to the increases of medical costs, according to the UFCW website, the 3 chains that are being targeted made a combined 91% profit within the past 3 years. Additionally, the proposed costs that are to be placed on the employees would be HALF of any medical bills. For example, if an employee has a hospital bill totalling 20k, the employee contribution would be approx 10k. WHO HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY??? My insurance even pays more than that and I am not a union member. Another key point that no one seems to mention is that healthcare costs are on the increase because pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies are getting away with charging and justifying the costs. In the big picture, if more people like these strikers bring it up and make noise about it then these large corporations would not be ABLE to get away with it, and maybe even the government would be forced to put a cap on the huge margins that drug companies and medical ins. corporations are making. The bottom line is GREED. big businesses become more greedy and forget about the people that make their businesses. Maybe checkers and baggers are disposable, but in the beginning when these companies were nobodies trying to climb to the top of corporate wealth, they relied heavily on the frontmen and those who dealt with the public at a retail level. Unfortuanately, the little people are always forgotten when greed takes over. Additionally, for a company that is making millions of dollars in profit per year, why are they sticking it to the people who made them what they are today?? And for those of you who scoff at the checkers making $18/hr for what they do, did it ever occur that maybe they are the smart ones? For anyone who knows the process of working and getting promoted in a retail chaing store knows that they start at the BOTTOM. getting grocery carts from the parking lot, and inevitably being promoted to checker status. At least they are contributing to the work force and sustaining our economy in addition to showing motivation and determination. Obviously you cannot compare being a checker to being a doctor, but there are parallels with regard to the motivation and determination to suceed.
Unfortunately, I had to finish graduate school to be making what some of these checkers make. More power to them. And so what if they make more money than some of the more noble professions? Has anyone ever looked at what a Major League Baseball player makes, and is that justified? PLEASE. Give me a break. Support them and show unity. They are trying to survive in this economy much like the rest of us. The living conditions may be the best compared to other countries, but when it comes down to the most serious of issues, medical care should be the most important thing, and to have to fight for your rights on that stand is ridiculous. So honk when you pass them and show support.

your comment exhibits nothing more than ignorance.
What a hateful thing to say. I have my Phd but you would not see or ever hear me belittle someone because of their job. And whose to say that half of those employees arent putting themselves through school with their job?
Before saying comments like this, maybe you should first educate and familiarize yourself with the facts.

I am an employee of Vons with 15 years behind me. I've worked most positions in the store and for the last 8 years I have taken care of the pricing integrity of the store. To answer a few questions, this is why we are striking:
1. no wage increases until 10-3-2005
2. $780 yr. for family for premium
3. 1/2 of doctor visits-hospital stays paid
4. elimination of prescription drug benefits
5. Pension contributions stopped
6. They will open non-union stores
7. Unlimited use of vendors, borkers, salesmen
8. Night premiums reduced
9. Unlimited case ready meat (phasing out meatcutters completely)
10. New hires- I can't even list all of the reductions they will have- so many that they will eventually replace the current employees with people hired under the proposed contract.

There's more but I just listed the main reasons we rejected the proposal.
I started working at Vons while in High School and College because of the medical benefits. The money was minimum wage but the benefits were worth it. The job is paying the bills, barely, but I do have medical benefits for my two little boys.

This strike has been emotionally exhausting. Who knew that It would be so tiring to be yelled at constantly. We are not getting the support we need (at least not in the rich neighborhood we work in). People have tried to hit us with cars, thrown glass bottles at us, taunted us, etc... We just want this to end and go back to work. But not under the proposed contract. Even those of you that hate grocery workers have to admit that they are trying to take away a lot in just one contract. In 4 years when the contract expires again what will they take away next? We just want to keep what we have, we aren't asking for more.

Another point worth mentioning is our C.E.O. sold his stock (millions) 2 weeks ago in prep. for the strike. He has told his investors that this strike is actually good and that this is just an investment in the future. He does not care about the employees or the inconvience this is causing our customers. He also told us that this offer is the best it will get.

We are angry and we are only in week 1. This is going to be a long fight. Any support we can get it more appreciated than you guys realize. One co-worker yesterday told me that it takes 10 people honking and saying good luck to lift your spirts and only 1 person telling you that your a "spoiled brat" to ruin it.

Please beware- anyone who is going to cross the picket line, don't buy perishables from these stores, for your own health. We have had a corporate person arrive to our store with meat in the truck of his car and carried it in the store and stocked it on the shelf. When asked about it he told us that he didn't think that the temperature had gone up. YUCK! We also watched a produce load (6-7 pallets) sit in the middle of the street wilting in the hot sun for an hour. There is only a 15 minute window to get produce from the truck to the cooler. Another point, check your receipts when you leave the store, these scabs don't know what they're doing.

If you are interested in adding a little extra support for us please go to your local Vons, Albertsons or Ralphs and grab a picket sign. They are there 24 hours a day and they will really appreciate it. Also, coffee and water has been a huge help since we can't just leave and go get something.

You folks out there in lalaland must admit that groceries are much too cheap now. Meat is especially inexpensive.

By loading up on high priced union meatcutters we can get our meat prices headed up up and away. That's what we want isn't it? Let's negotiate a rule banning technological progress and efficiency.

And surely you don't think grocery workers should have to pay as much for their medical coverage as you do!

And don't you agree that bagging groceries should be a cushy job?

Why should NBA Basketball Players make more than someone operating a cash register in the checkout lane? That seems grossly unfair.

Join our picket lines. Help us to get the price of produce in Los Angeles on par with Alaska's prices.

I am amazed how you view customers as enimies if they dare to cross your picket line. How dare you think it's OK to treat your customers like crap. I hope the stores fire all of you and hire non union workers who by the way are working very hard and doing a great job in your stead!

I totally agree! How DARE you have the gall to say one word to the customers that shop at the stores you hopefully USED TO WORK AT. Where I shop is none of your goddamed business. Personally, I don't give a crap about you and you job "problems". I hope the stores fire the whole lot of you and hire people who want to work!

"-$780 yr. for family for premium ($65/mo)
-1/2 of doctor visits-hospital stays paid
-elimination of prescription drug benefits"

Do I believe all this? No.

But if it were true, I'm all broke up for you buddy boy.

As a family of four, I have a $3,500 deductible per member with a $10,000 family limit. I get zero money from my insurance company until I reach those barriers. I raised my deductibles that high to get my monthly premium down to $300.

We all do our part, I just don't bitch about it.

Trust me, you don't want healthcare the way it is now anyway. THe healthcare industry is such a mess and so bad, I wouldn't go into a hospital nor as a HMO to take care of me. Like my grandmother, who had a stroke, I would stay home. You get sick in hospitals, real sick, and with the workload we have you don't get good care.
Keep your money and stay healthy and go back to work before you go broke and have to sell your house. Suck it up, the rest of us learned that 20 years ago.
I think it goes like this in Hawaii, "You pay the price to live in paradise!"

OK, well you want to get what you think you deserve. What you believe you've worked for. I understand that. BUT, is it so bad for me to go into Albertson's and get a temp job?? I worked 11/12 hours a day at 2 jobs forever. Recently I got laid off from my full time job. Why am I a "scab" for wanting to eat? I have to pay bills. I go to UCSB. Thats just plain not cheap. (and I pay for it myself, thank you) I've been told, " Oh get a job somewhere else." Can a striker please tell me where else is it they have jobs that hire you on the spot? Other people have to eat to. And I'm not sure any strikers would think higher of me if i was on wel-fare. There was a gentleman on here that asked if someone was going to pay for his rate hike. Will he then pass along some of that cash to the less fortunate who have no choice but to cross the line.

Tell the whole story!

They're taking away their vision benefits!

They're taking away their dental benefits.

They're using most workers just 24 hours per week!

They want them to contribute $780 per year for family benefits.

They won't even TALK or LISTEN to the workers, the union.

They want them to accept a 30c per hour raise in Late 2005, nothing until then!

HOGWASH! All so that the new CEO of Von's can "turn the company around" and make a name for himself.

When you say "Unlimited Use of Brokers and Salesmen", I don't think people know what that means...that means that hours and hours of work are being taken away from the union workers....Pepsi can stock their own shelves with Pepsi workers, etc. Right?

Ridiculous! No wonder you voted to strike!

"We all do our part, I just don't bitch about it."

Maybe you should start complaining instead of taking it out on someone in the same boat as you.

If you came home after getting screwed at work, and yelled at your wife, you'd be an asshole. That's what just did to your fellow worker when you told them to stop griping - you're being an asshole.

Also - about the scabbing. Do it if you're really desperate, but be aware that you're harming the futures of people who do the job for a lot longer than you will. As the union wages and benefits go, so do wages and benefits for all workers. That's why you're making minimum wage at 2 jobs, and getting laid off from one.

I really am in the dark about this grocery store strike. I hope someone may shed some light on exactly what they are asking for. From what I understand they are asking their employees to pay $5.00 a week for health insurance. I just had an increase for health care of over $100.00 a month for myself from my employer. Most all employees have to pay something for health care cost. There must be more to this. Can you tell me exactly where to look for the list of strike complaints?

Why strike? whats the point? All it does, is costs the company millions. I've worked for albertson's for almost 4 years now, believe me I know how you feel. I think the problem is Wal-Mart. They are kicking our butts, they don't pay nearly as good, have hard to get crapy insurance. Albertsons needs to cut down to compete with them, if none of us will have a job. So instead of striking, why we start kicking some walmart butt. So if you still don't like Albertson's, go work for walmart, I'm sure you will like their $8.00 an hour and crappy benefits.

Well,

"Natalie"

'The Gall" you say..Imagine commiting your blood and sweat to make a company more millions on top of millions and having the "gall" to ask for what we agreed on a long time ago.

But then again in "Natalie's World" the little people are there to serve her every little whim and smile while they do it...What an idiot!

Yeah they should fire all of us..Then how does little Nataile find food or go out to dinner or cut the lawn?

She might have to go out and make a living..Oh the HORROR!

Q: What’s the difference between the cashier at Taco Bell and the clerk at the market?

A: About $8.00 an hour

Have you ever worked at either job...or ANY job for that matter?

Nevermind...don't bother....I already know the answer....

Q: What’s the difference between the cashier at Taco Bell and the clerk at the market?

A: About $8.00 an hour

Okay then explain the difference

At the market you run your hand over a red light and then take the money.

At Taco Bell you ask would like to super size? Then take the money.

Just for the record, dear, I have worked very hard all my life. I have worked for many years,often working two jobs to pay the bills. It payed off in spades! I now live in a beautiful five bedroom home and own a very expensive car-something you'll never have if you continue the way you're going. I have earned all that I have on my own merit and have been proud of all my accomplishments along the way. I have never stooped to bullying my employer. I have always realized that a job is worth only what it pays-and if you don't like the terms of the employment then it's time to move on. If what you say is true,that you are only trying to keep what you negotiated at the onset of your employment,then I guess you are the proud owner of about one-third of an insurance policy. When you're contract was written that's about how much it cost in comparison to today........
Well, I did it again. I got off on the wrong foot!!! Actually, you have no job at all because you have no contract! You better hope that they choose to renew it!! Personally I can't imagine why they would- I have had a blissful couple of weeks shopping in Ralph's because the help they have in there now realizes that a job should be appreciated and when they get a raise they will be very proud because they will have earned it!!! Stop with the street thugs tactic and figure out what you're worth [if it's anything at all] and go get a real job. Also, an education would help. You sound like a complete moron! By the way, I have been taken care of far more efficiently and more cordially by the people working there now[you know,the ones that were trained in a mere four hours] than I was ever by the "UNION" employees. How hard is your job that it's even worth more than minimum wage? A job that takes four hours of training to master! What a dream! You're being overpaid,Nicholas !!!!!!! Love and kisses,dear, and good luck in the real world!

Got another way to get the strikers off your back should they try and give you shit as you go to buy groceries. I've noticed they're getting smaller in number and a lot less aggressive lately.

Yesterday, I told on guy who confronted me that I was going in to buy food to prepare for the firemen who are so bravely working to protect out homes. He stepped aside and didn't say another word.

Of course, he should have put down his damn sign and picked up a broom and got his lazy ass back to work.

If the supermarket gig doesn’t pan out you guys could always get jobs at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

They seem to share the same work ethic

Well put Natalie. These Union bozos really feel that everyone should give a shit about preserving their benefits and salary. I too have found another job if I felt that I was not being compensated adequately. Instead they think it is appropriate to bully and strong-arm their employer into paying above market for their services

The funny thing about the way things work is that if the union was not in place the market owners would be cutting wages continually until all their workers made around minimum wage and service would suffer greatly. (This is how businesses run. How can we maximize our profit margin or what’s the least we can do for our customers and still have them come back)

On the other hand the union doesn’t seem to know when to say when. They expect to be paid wages well beyond the reasonable rate for the work being performed. (What’s the actual market value of a checker – I’d imagine if you compared other non-unionized stores the difference in wages would be significant)

>The funny thing about the way things work is that if the union was not in place the market owners would be cutting wages continually until all their workers made around minimum wage and service would suffer greatly.

I disagree. The best way to lose good employees is to not pay them enough to continue working for you, making them disgruntaled or sending them running into the arms of the competition.

>On the other hand the union doesn’t seem to know when to say when. They expect to be paid wages well beyond the reasonable rate for the work being performed. (What’s the actual market value of a checker – I’d imagine if you compared other non-unionized stores the difference in wages would be significant)

Unskilled labor can only be compensated so much, I agree. It's not like their jobs can't be learned by a teenager in 10 minutes or so.

This strike will end the same way they all do. The union doesn't get dues from these workers when they're not getting paid, and we all know the reason unions exist are to receive union dues. So they'll act like they're playing hardball for a while, then they'll tell the union members that they will have to pay a portion of their healthcare benefits, but not as much as the grocery stores were going to make them, declare victory, and go back to collecting union dues, which incidentely will be increased because of the recent expenditures from having to pay attorneys to negotiate the most recent strike.

I disagree. The best way to lose good employees is to not pay them enough to continue working for you, making them disgruntaled or sending them running into the arms of the competition.

- Employee turn over is perfectly acceptable to some employers if it keeps wages down.

Not saying I agree but that is the reality of non-skilled jobs.

With all of your "experience, Fred, I think you're missing the point! If the markets want to overpay or underpay their employees,continue their benefits or not, it is their right to decide how it is best for them to compete in a free market. they either do well or they don't. The union has no right to step in and tell someone else how to run their business! If there are those of you out there who don't like this simple little fact of life, then guess what! You have the choice to open YOUR OWN business and make all the rules! That's right! But be prepared. You can mortgage your home,take out a small business loan, find people who think there's a small chance you might succeed to front you some money,educate yourself, and then go to town. You've now put your whole life on the line. And I believe most new businesses go belly-up within the first two years........
But on the odd chance that you succeed, you're right- I think the mob should step in and unionize your employees and then come to you and tell you that they will destroy your business if you don't do what they say!!!!! Funny how it sounds when you get rid of the gang mentality,isn't it.
My suggestion to all of you union gangsters[mobsters] is that the only group you should join is a mental health group.

When I began my carrier I worked and was a union employee. As worked and moved up I ended up in management managing union employees.

I do see up and down side of both situations. As far as starting my own business, I did a few years back and have been doing well.

Thanks for the response! You do seem like a very fair-minded person. I have to respect your right to your opinion even if I don't totally agree......my problem with the union has nothing to so with the upside or downside, lots of things that are good for some people still aren't right. I am glad that you have a successful career now and hope you continue that way.

1. no wage increases until 10-3-2005
2. $780 yr. for family for premium
3. 1/2 of doctor visits-hospital stays paid
4. elimination of prescription drug benefits
5. Pension contributions stopped
6. They will open non-union stores
7. Unlimited use of vendors, borkers, salesmen
8. Night premiums reduced
9. Unlimited case ready meat (phasing out meatcutters completely)
10. New hires- I can't even list all of the reductions they will have- so many that they will eventually replace the current employees with people hired under the proposed contract.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
merchandise is NOT expensive because workers get paid too much.

merchandise IS expensive because the climate is right in America for CEO's to extort as much as they can from a system that normal people are on the shit end of.

because ken lay and his buddies go unpunished, auther anderson goes unpunished, aldephia goes unpunished and even our military who LOSES 3 TRILLION dollars, cuts back pay and health benifits and not only goes unpunished but get handed billions more ... to be absorbed by Haliburton CEO's etc...

because of these things Ralph's is correct in assuming that they can get away with Union busting tactics that they have no NEED for. They don't NEED more money. They profit 91% more than 5 years ago.

It's inhuman greed and it is rampent in our corporate government. AND if they succede you can be certain there will be MORE TO COME. More Union busting until other countries start shuting down their plants and sending their jobs to America... because they can pay the workers less there.

These strikers are saving all your apathetic asses, IF you'll let them, lend some support.

I must disagree, the strikers and the Unions are making the US non competative in a global economy. The reality is, being a grocery clerk is not a job that should support a family. The fact you have been historially paid way above market value becuse of your union "strong arm" tactics is no reason to justify it in the future. Do you or your union "brothers" shop at Wal Mart or Costco? Would you pay more than you have to for the workers added benefits and pay? I think not.

I can not believe that this people are crying about $5.00 to $15.00 a week. My husband and I have to pay $783.00 a months for our health plan, plus a $5.00 co-payment per visit and $5.00 for medication and we aren't crying about it. I feel for the works that didn't voted to go on strike but they where forced to. I think that the union is going after the wrong people. The union should attack the health care, and the HMO's.

Why anyone would not go to Von's is the question. They union workers have a choice. They can return to work with the proviso that they actually have to pay something for their health insurance. Wow, what a revelation. I will support the workers at Albertson's and Ralph's as they've been locked out and are without work without choice. Von's is fair game. As a matter of fact, I'm headed there for some sale items right now. See you.

Troy Foster

I feel for the Strikers but the sign of the times are different today.

Vote out the Union and get back to a normal life!!

As a customer ~ I want all the strikers to know that I am sorry for what the Union is doing to you. In the long run the Strikers will loose. Health care it is very expensive. 401k and Pensions are at a all time low. Jobs are hard to come by. If you keep telling your customers to go elsewhere... some might do just that and when you get back to work... there will be no business...and your hours either will be cut back to less than PT or you will in the end be LAID OFF. So if I were you I would VOTE OUT THE UNION. And get back to work.

As a Scab ~ I am providing for those customers who dont want to go elsewhere and loyal to their neighborhood store. (like me) Why should they be inconvienced over personal issues that are not theirs. ... finances are a personal matter ~

If the job is not paying you good enough go somewhere else where they will pay you what you want....You have A CHOICE that is what I fought for FREEDOM. For you and for me...

FREEDOM of Choices

As a customer ~ I want all the strikers to know that I am sorry for what the Union is doing to you. In the long run the Strikers will loose. Health care it is very expensive. 401k and Pensions are at a all time low. Jobs are hard to come by. If you keep telling your customers to go elsewhere... some might do just that and when you get back to work... there will be no business...and your hours either will be cut back to less than PT or you will in the end be LAID OFF. So if I were you I would VOTE OUT THE UNION. And get back to work. As a Scab ~ I am providing for those customers who dont want to go elsewhere and loyal to their neighborhood store. (like me) Why should they be inconvienced over personal issues that are not theirs. ... finances are a personal matter ~ If the job is not paying you good enough go somewhere else where they will pay you what you want....You have A CHOICE that is what I fought for FREEDOM. For you and for me... FREEDOM of Choices

Before labor unions poverty was the norm for the vast majority of Americans. Industrialists literally payed starvation wages. When so many people had little disposable income, opportunity for the emergence of entrepreneurs was more greatly limited. Labor unions in this country have helped to build a strong domestic economy. When people have larger disposable incomes they have more money to spend on products and services. These purchases in turn allow for the success of other emerging businesses.

People that cross union picket lines are contributing to the demise of our national economy. Surely, you have heard of the massive export of high paying technical jobs. Short sighted corporations, only interested in their bottom lines, are laying off workers in the USA and hiring cheap labor over-seas where labor unions are typically oppressed. As disposable incomes become reduced in this country, so too will the opportunities for the domestic emergence of new businesses.

In short, scabs and people that cross union picket lines are unpatriotic and should be ashamed of contributing to the demise of our country and its economy.

--In short, scabs and people that cross union picket lines are unpatriotic and should be ashamed of contributing to the demise of our country and its economy.--

That's not something you get to determine or have an opinion on. Stick with things you have the capacity to have some influence over, like whether to shake twice or three times.

What a load of crap. If you want to see how labor unions can cripple an economy, look to Europe. High unemployment (who would want to try and compete globally with union labor?) I am sick of these union sheep dragging the public into their own problem. I recently got an increase in my insurance co-pay and I don't expect anyone else to deal with it. If I don't like it I will do the honorable thing and quit. Not march around in front of the stores and harass customers.... Assholes

I don't mind a scab worker but when a person say he's pro Union and then turns around and takes a friends job thats rotten. I've talked to him and he explains that he just wants money and doesn't care about anything else. Under normal circumstances he would not have a job since he is so incapable now during a strike he gets paid 15.00 plus an hour. Thats pathetic. Scab Richard 323 299-1416 his message is even Pro Union What a Two Face

There are several misperceptions I've noticed about the stiking employees that I would like to address.

Myth #1; All Emplyees make almost $20.00 an hour. No, SOME employees make close to that amount. The five department heads (meat, deli, produce, grocery, drug/GM, and front-end supervisors) are at the top of the pay scale. That's five employyes out of about 200 or so. The remaing employees are on wages scaled from about $12.00 to minimum wage based on full-time seniority, job assignment and date of hire, with the overwhelming majority of employees at the low end of the wage scale.

Myth #2. The stirking employees are sefish in thier desires. One of the most important issues to the unions was the one concerning new hires. The restrictions of rights for new hires include a restiction on wage scales below the poverty line no matter the job assignemt, a health care plan with reduced coverage, NO scheduling rights, No promotion rights, etc. These terms that the union are objecting to are about employyes NOT EVEN HIRED yet. Whether or not you agree with the strike, pause a moment to respect someone who has the fortitude to sacrife their entire paycheck for people they've never met.

Myth #3. The health care issue... Oh boy. The one everyone call relate to. There's two major points I'd like to cover, I'll seperate them below.

Myth #3A. The insurance is purchased by the company. In actuallity a comtribution is made by the company to the UNION purchased health & welfare plan. This contribution is either a "part-time" or "full-time" contribution, obviously dependent upon the employee's status. If the contract is for four years, which is the average, then that contribution does NOT increase during that period of time, but remains at the level that was negotiated. As is widely known, the cost of health care has risen dramatically in the last for years. However, the COMPANY's expenses have not.

Myth #3B. The health & welfare plan is out of line in today's market place. Yes, the employees do have a good heath & welfare plan, not the best one out there, but certainly better than some. The reason for this is that the employees negotiated contracts over a twelve year period that left them with a CUMULATIVE wage increase of less than one dollar. The cost of living has obviously gone up more than this during this time period. This was acceptable in order to maintain the health & welfare benifits. However, even this concession did not leave insurance sancrosent. The dedutable has increased considerably; the co-pay has increased to some degree; prescription coverage has been restricted and decreased, etc. The union has been in almost constant negotiations with health care providers to get the best coverage it can for a unalterable price.

Myth#4. Grocery clerks are unskilled labor force. Quick, tell me how to sign on to a register. Which machine do you use to order product? ( You don't have to tell me which program you need to log on to, or even how to use it; just tell me which machine). Whcih sequence of buttons turns on the mop machine? What's SKED, INFOPAC, T&A, a turnarond document, or an MSI machine? I will concede that some employees are "unskilled", because, yeah, there are those empoyees that can't seem to put the bread on the top of the sack. But the majority of the employees ARE trained very well for their job.

Let me give you a BRIEF rundown for what the "Scan Co-ordinater" does to order a new item. First, he or she will do a search in the store's database for that item, using the base UPC (which means he's been trained to use a DBS and the way to decode the 11 digit code to find the manufacturers portion of the code). Next he'll log on to the KWEB to do an search in the company's DBS (which means he's been trained how to use a LAN system and its protocols). Next he'll use the INFOPAC to search a different DBS (which means he's been trained to use a third type of OS). Next, he will use this information to "force" the product to the store's database and order this product. (which means that he's been trained how to use a fourth OS and CAO, including but not limited to, minimum BOH, allocation, and order adjustments). He also has to activate it in SPA, so that the product will scan at the register (so let's train him to set the WIC, taxable / foodstamp, exceptions, department codes, etc. flags and what state, local and company requirements apply to each of these flags). When the product finally arrives at the store, he has to put it in the shelf (Now he has to know about allocation and placement restrictions so that no contracts with vendors are violated). Remember when I said a brief description? Believe me, I've left out a LOT of steps and knowldege required; all done so that you can get the item you want at your local grocer. And this is only ONE of the job assignments our poor scan co-ordinator does, and which is one of the easiest and least demading.

Myth #5. An increase in wages means an increase in prices. This is probably the least understood aspects of business by the general population. Labor cost is one of the LEAST expensive portions of the operating statement. Rent, liability insurance, advertising, utilities, inventory, maintainence, etc. are all massive drains on the bottom line. In fact, the increase in productivity has actually decreased the cost of labor to less than half of what it was only ten years ago. The advent of the "U-Scan" means that four checklanes can now be run by only one cashier, which translates into one person doing the work of eight (four cashiers and four baggers). This is only the most obvious one to the customer, but this advance has happened all over the store.

Myth #6 I'm one of the striking workers. Okay, its not actually part of the misconceptions, but I thought that I should set the record straight. I am NOT one of the stiking employees. I actually work for one of the competitors in a different part of the country. But since I do have some first-hand knowledge about what happens inside a grocery store, I felt that is was importent to add to the discussion.

I apoligize for what is easily one of the longest post I've ever written. And I thank the few of you how took the time to read such a massive post.

jroberthaga@hotmail.com

I am glad that you have an opinion and the FREEDOM to Express it.

I am a proud Veteran and a proud scab. Not ashamed to say that either nor am I unpatriotic. I just dont like UNIONS they are a time of the past. Union workers in my memory remind me of a bunch of drunks and folks who have disfunctional familys and cant hardly speak English. Trust me Unions can rip you off too...How much of your hard earned pay do you give to those mob guys a month. So they are like your Pimp right?? They say Strike and you say um ok and if you disagree they keep all that money you have given to them for 15 years.. They have taken your FREEDOM to work and have kept all that money. Think about it. I hate calling people names but Unions are aweful.

I will be thinking of you strikers during Thanksgiving and Christmas... hope that life turns out for the better for all of you.

Good Luck in your Future Endevours

The True story of a SCAB
(Speech first given before the Oakland Socialist Party Local, April 5, 1903)

Under the definition that a scab is one who gives more value for the same price than another, it would seem that society can be generally divided into the two classes of the scabs and the non-scabs. But on closer investigation, however, it will be seen that the non- scab is a vanishing quantity. In the social jungle, everybody is preying upon everybody else. As in the case of Mr. Rockefeller, he who was a scab yesterday is a non-scab to-day, and to-morrow may be a scab again.

But the union laborers of the United Stated have nothing of which to boast, while, according to their trade-union ethics, they have a great deal of which to be ashamed. They passionately preach short hours and big wages, the shorter the hours and the bigger the wages the better. Their hatred for a scab is as terrible as the hatred of a patriot for a traitor, of a Christian for a Judas. And in the face of all this, they are as colossal scabs as the United States is a colossal scab. For all of their boasted unions and high labor ideals, they are about the most thoroughgoing scabs on the planet.

‘It is not good to give most for least, not good to be a scab.’ The word has gained universal opprobrium. On the other hand, to be a non-scab, to give least for most, is universally branded as stingy, selfish, and unchristian-like. So all the world, like the British workman, is 'twixt the devil and the deep sea. It is treason to one's fellows to scab, it is unchristian-like not to scab.
Since to give least for most, and to give most for least, are universally bad, what remains? Equity remains, which is to give like for like, the same for the same, neither more nor less. But this equity, society, as at present constituted, cannot give. It is not in the nature of present-day society for men to give like for like, the same for the same. And so long as men continue to live in this competitive society, struggling tooth and nail with one another for food and shelter, (which is to struggle tooth and nail with one another for life), that long will the scab continue to exist. His will "to live" will force him to exist. He may be flouted and jeered by his brothers, he may be beaten with bricks and clubs by the men who by superior strength and capacity scab upon him as he scabs upon them by longer hours and smaller wages, but through it all he will persist, giving a bit more of most for least than they are giving.

Four workers were discussing how smart their dogs were.

The first was a engineer, who said his dog could do math with calculations. His dog was named T-square, and he told him to get some paper and draw a square, a circle, and a triangle, which the dog did with no sweat.

The second was an accountant who said he thought his dog was better. His dog's name was slide rule. He told him to fetch a dozen cookies, bring them back, divide them into piles of three, which he did with no problem.

The third was a chemist who agreed the other two were good, but said his dog name Measure was ever smarter. He told him to get a quart of milk and pour seven ounces into a ten-ounce glass. The dog of course did this perfectly.

All three men agreed that this was very good and that their dogs were equally smart. They all turned to the Union Member and said, "What can your dog do?"

The teamster member called his dog, whose name was Coffee Break, and said, "show the fellows what you can do." Coffee Break went over and ate the cookies, drank the milk, shit on the paper, screwed the other three dogs and claimed he injured his back while doing so, filed grievance for unsafe working conditions, applied for Workman's Compensation and left for home on sick leave.

Thank you for speaking for so many. You put it perfectly! Have a wonderful holiday!

I think the union is a big cult. Do the workers really think the union cares? They care so much that the union representatives are out there with the workers. The markets should go non-union to teach the union a lesson. As for the workers they should be happy they have an option to have benefits. Theres alot of companies that work people part-time and don't offer any kind of benefits