Alright Teamsters are on board.. they are refusing to cross picket lines.. or deliver food to all those grocery stores!! haha

The 3 other major grocery stores in Southern CA called Stater Bros., Trader Joes, Gelsons, Wild Oats/Mothers etc. as of yesterday they are running out of food.. the strike is going strong.. the workers are on 5 hrs. shifts.. AND this is kinda funny but Disney union workers has given up to 2,000 free Disneyland tickets to the strikers to give out to ANYONE who will come down and picket with them (I know how we all feel about Disneyland) but i think it was a nice gesture from the workers at Disneyland.. SOOO if you live in Southern CA go down just sign up on a sheet to picket with the strikers.. and after about 3 hrs. i believe you get 2 FREE Disneyland tickets :)

ALSO a lot of people are saying that the workers are asking for a lot.. but the thing is the workers are really NOT asking for anything.. they are asking to keep the benefits that they have.. for their health insurance cost not be raised 4x from what they pay now. They are also doing this strike to make sure the people new to their company are able to have a future as workers.. Even if YOU personally fully cannot understand their demands.. or why they are doing what they are doing.. the fact remains that over 98% of 70,000 workers VOTED to go on this strike after 25 years.. and if this is what a large # of workers is choosing to do it is up to the rest of us as WORKERS to support a group of workers like this who have come together and decided to this for themselves..
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Cost cuts vs. worker benefits hits impasse




“The scabs are getting paid $19 an hour. After 11 years, I get about $12. Their hotel and food are also being paid for. The company hired one gal who came here with her husband from Washington state. She had no idea that we were getting ready to strike. They didn’t tell her. She ended up walking out, saying she wouldn’t dare cross a picket line.”

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The major supermarket chains in southern California are mounting a coordinated strikebreaking drive against 70,000 grocery workers, who are fighting the employers’ demands for wage cuts and other contract concessions.

The workers, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), are employed by the Vons, Pavilions, Ralph’s and Albertson’s chains. The union called a strike and set up picket lines Saturday night against Vons and Pavilions, both of which are owned by the Safeway supermarket giant. The two other chains responded by locking out their employees.

All of the chains, which together own 859 markets in the region, are keeping their doors open with the aid of strikebreakers hired in advance of the contract expiration. Workers—some of whom are UFCW members—have been flown in from other states to scab on the strikers. Others have been hired locally for $19 an hour.

This union-busting attack, taking place within days of the recall election that removed Democratic Governor Gray Davis and installed Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger, has starkly revealed the social and class conflicts that were at the root of the California budget crisis and the recall election. The drive to remove Davis, who was elected to a second term as governor last November, was financed and organized by right-wing Republicans with the backing of major corporate interests.

The grocery store employees are among the lowest paid and most oppressed sections of the working class in California. Most are forced to work part-time and never approach the top pay rates in their job classifications.

While the top hourly wage for a checkout clerk is $17.90, few workers reach that level and baggers earn as little as $6.75 an hour. The weekly pay for many grocery workers in California is not sufficient to rent a modest apartment, let alone raise a family.

Not surprisingly, none of the politicians of either of the two big business parties, all of whom postured as friends of ordinary Californians during the special election, have protested the use of strikebreaking tactics by the supermarket chains. Schwarzenegger, the governor-elect, who pledged to defend the people against “special interests,” has said nothing to discourage the supermarket giants from attacking the jobs and living standards of thousands of California workers. It has taken less than a week for the mask to be removed from this film actor-turned “populist,” exposing him for what he is: a front man for a corporate elite intent on removing all restraints on big business and destroying all that remains of the past gains of the working class.

The response of the UFCW and the AFL-CIO as a whole has been no less predictable. They have done nothing to seriously oppose the strikebreaking. There has been no hint of an effort to mobilize workers, union and nonunion, to halt the use of scabs and shut down the supermarkets. The fact that the UFCW refused to call a strike against all of the chains is indicative of the cowardly posture of the union leadership. Union officials, moreover, publicly declared prior to the strike that they were prepared to offer contract concessions, but complained that the demands of the employers were too sweeping for them to put before their membership.

This is the first grocery strike in southern California in 25 years. In 1978, supermarkets attempted to stay open but were unable to restock their shelves because Teamsters drivers refused to cross the picket lines. This time, management personnel have been trained to move the trucks.

Negotiators for the UFCW and the supermarket chains had set aside a midnight strike deadline on Friday, October 10 and continued negotiations in the presence of a federal mediator. A nine-hour negotiating session on October 11 failed to produce an agreement. The grocery workers’ Master Contract for Southern California expired October 6.

Earlier in the week, 50,000 clerks and baggers who belong to seven UFCW locals voted by a 98 percent margin to reject the employers’ concessions demands. These include substandard pay and benefits for new-hires, drastic givebacks in health and pension benefits, reductions in premium pay, and the gutting of work rules. Under the proposed contract:

* The top pay of new-hires would be permanently capped at $14.90 an hour, establishing a two-tier wage system. Newly hired courtesy checkers (baggers) would not only receive the $6.75 poverty-level wage of those presently employed, they would also be deprived of health benefits.

* Workers would lose dental and optical coverage and have to pay $75 a month for prescription coverage and $15 a week for health insurance. Hospital stays and chemotherapy treatments would be capped, potentially adding tens of thousands of dollars to workers’ health bills. These changes would shift $1,300 a year in health costs from the supermarkets to the workers’ families.

* Work rule changes would permit outsourcing of stocking duties and allow the operation of nonunion stores in some areas. Split shifts would be introduced for part-time workers and night shift premiums would be cut for all workers. Sunday shift premiums would be frozen for current employees and slashed by $1 for new-hires.

* Pensions for new-hires would be substantially downgraded, and the employers’ contributions to the pension plan would be sufficient to cover only benefits accrued up to now, but insufficient to guarantee future benefits

* There would be no wage increase for the first two years of the three-year agreement.

UFCW officials have declared that they are defending middle class living standards. For the majority of grocery workers, however, anything resembling such standards was surrendered by the UFCW in previous contracts. Throughout the 1990s, the UFCW repeatedly bowed to the employers’ demands for wage and work rule concessions that have resulted in cuts in real wages and benefits and the slashing of jobs nationwide.

The drive by the supermarket chains to cut costs is fueled by fierce competition and consolidation in the industry. Profit margins have declined as Wal-Mart, Target and other nonunion entrants have captured market share at the expense of unionized chains. Wal-Mart mega stores, for instance, are able to undersell the national chains by as much as 27 percent, largely because of their lower labor costs. Wal-Mart wages for grocery clerks average $8.50 an hour, with sharply reduced health and pension benefits relative to the company’s competitors.

The retail giant intends to open 40 supermarkets in southern California in the next few years, challenging Safeway, Kroger (which recently bought out Ralph’s) and Albertson’s, which now control more than 70 percent of the southern California market. The supermarket chains are using Wal-Mart as a pretext to slash their workers’ wages and benefits.

The strike in southern California has a national significance. Grocery workers in St. Louis have been on strike since October 7 against three supermarket chains.

The UFCW contract in Arizona will expire on October 26. Some 14,000 workers there could walk out at Safeway and Fry’s supermarkets. At issue in Arizona is the elimination of a 20-hours-a-week guarantee for workers with at least one year of experience and an increase in the minimum hours necessary to receive health insurance.

New Mexico supermarket workers are currently working without a contract. Negotiations are also taking place in Chicago, New York and Indianapolis, mainly over health care costs.

A reporter for the World Socialist Web Site spoke to pickets at one of the Albertson’s stores in Irvine, California. Odell Moore, the picket captain, with 17 years in the industry and seven years at that location, said, “Management wants us to have less benefits, less wages and practically no pensions. This would also affect people who retired 10-12 years ago because it would be retroactive. They want to institute a two-tier contract and a 50 percent cut in health and welfare benefits, with $15 to $20 more taken out of our paycheck, plus higher co-pays.

“The store management spent $500,000 preparing for this strike. Management is in there working, but they’ve also hired out-of-state Albertson’s employees who are UFCW members. There are also people being hired off the street.

“Right now, only the check stands are being manned. There are maybe one or two people in some other departments. Nobody’s working in the meat department.

“A lot of people are crossing the lines here in Irvine. Many of them work for Fortune 500 companies and don’t see why they should support us.”

Pat, who works in the bakery department, said, “I have 11 years seniority and was hoping to be able to retire soon, but I don’t think I can. We don’t mind co-pay on our health insurance, but the increases they’re demanding are too much. If somebody hadn’t done this for me a long time ago, I wouldn’t have any benefits. The top people in this company are making so much money, and we’re not even asking for a pay raise.

“The scabs are getting paid $19 an hour. After 11 years, I get about $12. Their hotel and food are also being paid for. The company hired one gal who came here with her husband from Washington state. She had no idea that we were getting ready to strike. They didn’t tell her. She ended up walking out, saying she wouldn’t dare cross a picket line.”

If you want to support them, be an upsetter. Picket for an hour or two, then go in, wearing a UCFW support badge, and purchase a single item of food. Buy the "loss leader" or whatever is on sale in their advertisement. Use a coupon or a double coupon. Waste their labor and upset their margins.

Storm the markets with your friends. Move things around on the shelves. Move the onions to the apple display, and move the apples to the oranges. Eat a burrito, and fart in line.

Do not destroy anything, or steal anything, because that will make the picketers, who work there, look bad. Instead, do subtle things that, cumulatively, steal a few minutes of work here and there.

We don't need no stinking First Amendment!

Just think, if it weren't were for unions, we wouldn't be forced to accept time and a half for work over 8 hours a day, or 40 hours a week. Who can ever forgive unions for saddling us with weekends, health and retirement benefits, and vacations? Not to mention improving working conditions and on the job safety. I haven't even mentioned the responsibility of unions for minimum wage legislation, old age pensions, disability and work mans compensation. Wooee! Don't get me started!

When were those reforms enacted?

Been a while, huh?

In other words, what have the unions done for workers lately?

to "bushsupporter" sigh......
i'm really just about to give up on those people out there. if you had one iota as to what the working class is like you'd not be so quick to support their enemies. sure all that gas in your SUV is only dead Iraqis, all the coffee time your children don't have to pick coffee beans, but what of the rights of the non-privledged many? what of us?

What have unions done lately? If you have had the experience of working, both, union and non-union jobs as I've had you would know. Nevertheless, I'll try to answer your question. Union jobs, on average, pay 33% more in pay and benefits, than in the same industry in the non-union sector, have safer working conditions (I've seen union officers shut down a unsafe job, something I've never seen in the non-union sector), and most important of all job security, in that management can't fire someone for arbitrary reasons. They have to go through the entire grievance procedure, and have a damn good case. In a non-union situation it's "don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out." In California, in '96, unions provided 80% of the money to get the initiative on the ballot and passed that raised the state minimum wage, at that time, more than $2 per hour over the federal minimum wage. Let me ask you a question. What reforms have we got from employers? Let me answer. Resistance to the 40 hour week, job safety laws, social security, workmen's comp, and most recently universal health care. Not a very proud record.

Being a retail worker,I`m one of a growing number of service sector employees.I`m extremely supportive of the grocery strike,but have problems with the undemocratic,business unionism of UFCW.Most of us in the sector that UFCW has juristiction over are un-unionized,and have paychecks and benefit packages to match.UFCW has the obligation to us,as well as it`s current members to build union density so that we all can benefit from collective barganing,and the political clout that being organized brings into society as a whole.For thirty years we have experienced declining standards of living,a narrowing of political discourse,and the triumphalism of neoliberal,free market capitalism.The business unionism of top down authoritarian labor bosses joined at the hip with the democratic party has hamstrung working people,narrrowly defining labor issues as workplace isssues.It`s a far cry from the labor movement our grandparents knew,the labor movement that built the CIO in it`s heyday of the 1930s,as a part of wider social movements for democracy and against fascism.I wish that someday that organic connection between organized labor and the social movements might be restored so that our children,and thier children might have a better life in a more peaceful world.Democracy begins with self organization,we`ve been letting the business agents and hacks run the show too long.Winning this strike will be not just a victory for grocery clerks,but a victory for those of us who are un-organized as well,thanks alot.

We went to Vons the other day and the picketers were yelling "you scum!" at us. There were other reports that the picketers beat up some people and vandalized cars of others that went into the stores. How can you expect support & sympathy? Also, you guys get paid $18 an hour to freaking check in my groceries, no college education? Give me a break. In the real world, even if you get a degree, it's challenging to make that much so QUIT WHINING. ALSO, if we go into your store, don't be a hypocrite and get mad at us...it's NECESSITY. Do you realize that 90% of the clothes on your back & shoes on your feet came from a little Honduran or Taiwanese girl, working 15 hour days, not making enough money a whole year to even buy what they make? And do you stop buying clothes? NO BECAUSE YOU NEED THEM!!!!!!! Makes you stop and think how LUCKY and BLESSED YOU ARE so quit whining.

We went to Vons the other day and the picketers were yelling "you scum!" at us. There were other reports that the picketers beat up some people and vandalized cars of others that went into the stores. How can you expect support & sympathy? Also, you guys get paid $18 an hour to freaking check in my groceries, no college education? Give me a break. In the real world, even if you get a degree, it's challenging to make that much so QUIT WHINING. ALSO, if we go into your store, don't be a hypocrite and get mad at us...it's NECESSITY. Do you realize that 90% of the clothes on your back & shoes on your feet came from a little Honduran or Taiwanese girl, working 15 hour days, not making enough money a whole year to even buy what they make? And do you stop buying clothes? NO BECAUSE YOU NEED THEM!!!!!!! Makes you stop and think how LUCKY and BLESSED YOU ARE so quit whining.

Why not do a little homework before jumping on the grocery clerks....did you know that 75% of grocery clerks are part time? Guaranteed to work 16 hours per week, and that can be in four 4-hour shifts if the manager wants to schedule that way. Also, if we were to get a part time job to supplement our income, we can be penalized for not being available to work all shifts. So, here we wait by the phone hoping someone calls in sick, so we can pick up an extra shift........the benefits make the job worth while.

As for the clothes made by little taiwanese girls, WE DON'T SHOP AT WALMART!

If you had a problem with you job or boss, would you want people to support your company?
Strikers are angry at those crossing a picket line.............there are so many other places to shop at!
Why support a big company trying to rip off their employees?

Just think how you support the unions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The car you drive-- a union auto worker assembled it and a union driver delivered it to your dealer.
The food you buy ( you know you shop Albertsons, Vons, and Ralphs ) a union cashier sold it and a union driver delivered it.
Do you drink beer or drink Coke and Pepsi product or your kids (if any) drink some type of fruit drink---a union person handled it before you got it.
SOME WAY SOME HOW A UNION PERSON MAY HAVE MADE, DELIVERED, AND SOLD YOU A PRODUCT HANDELED BY A UNIONS MEMBER. SO I SAY TO YOU " THANKS FOR YOU SUPPORT ". O by the way that EDUCATION you recieved was probably taught to you by a teacher that belongs to a union.

You're such a good slave.

"Be grateful for what you have" indeed. We are in the richest country in the world. These strikers are working for some of the richest companies in this richest country. And they're working weird shifts for just a little above minimum wage. The MAXIMUM is 17.90. That's for one of those women with the "35 years of service" badges on them. That's half a lifetime! Give the woman an award already!

Oh, and those little girls in the factories in China (or in the US Marianas Islands!)... who's ordering the clothes to be made there? American companies like Wal Mart, Target, K Mart, or whatever, looking to save a few bucks. It's nice that the clothes are so cheap, but, once upon a time, Americans made those clothes. They cost a bit more, but, you know the work conditions weren't so bad.

My last question. Elliana, are you some kind of paid shill for the stores, or are you just an obedient slave? I'm sure you love the master, because he doesn't rape you but once a year.

(BTW - I'm not a retail worker, just a sympathizer. I make decent money, but no bennies, because I'm a contractor. I'm in that well paid technical sector.)

When I was a kid, the neighbor down the street from me was a Teamster negotiator. He lived like a prince. He was always flying, on a private jet, to Geneva to conduct the negotiations.

My grandfathers were union members, struggling to make a decent living. The contrast between the union workers and the pampered union elite made me despise unions to this day.

Good job Elliana! A girl after my own heart! I am glad to see that there is someone out there who sees these people for what they truly are.....self-serving and hypocritical.You go girl!!!!!!

Finally someone got it right! lets see-with no education I think they are lucky to get what they get. And,if they have a problem with their employer maybe they ought to take it behind closed doors like the rest of the world instead of ganging up and trying to force the issue,not out of free market value of the job, but through threats and intimidation. And if they don't like it, it's time to hit the pavement like the rest of the free world!

Stop all the friggin crying about the pay. If you don't like it, quit! Find a job that pays better! You knew the pay chart when you started!

Damn! Too bad you're in the union and can't take advantage of the high pay and perks!

I'm working as a scab at Vons. As someone who used to work at Kmart, I can really relate to being underpaid for the same work that a union member is being paid 3 times as much for, and conversely, how nice it must be to belong to a Union. I'm torn between supporting the strikers and telling the strikers that they better get their overpaid, unskilled butts back to work before they lose their jobs.

Idealogically I believe in workers rights, but realistically, I just want to feed my kids and pay for my college education fees-which were raised to new highs this year.

Economically, I feel that this is an inopportune time for the workers to strike (yes, I realize they couldn't pick and choose when their contracts expired), the unemployment rate is so high, of course the supermarkets are going to be able to fill the strikers' positions. At my store, all the strikebreakers have experience. What if the corporations decide to lock the strikers out forever? Its a very real possiblity.

The weaknesses of the Unions' position is telling.

First of all, the job doesn't require a particularly skilled labor force. These people are not irreplacable. We've just replaced a governor, a regime in Afghanistan, 70,000 hard working bakery clerks or a bookkeepers just aren't that hard to come by in today's employers market.

Secondly, health care costs have soared throughout the entire population spectrum. From rich to poor, everyone is paying considerably more for their health care, and getting considerably less. Times are tough all over. Who is supposed to care about the plight of the grocery worker when their own premiums are getting raised, as their 401K plans are crashing?

Thirdly, can anyone name one single other job where part-time courtesy clerks (an entry job for high school students, really) even get health care or pension options?

The union workers had it pretty good, its time they stood up to their union leaders and forced them to make some financial compromises, like the rest of us have been forced to do.

Unions can be good things. But with rising prices and longer lines no one is going to want to continue wasting their resources driving to the non-union stores.

If the union wins its demands, the price of groceries will rise. That is another pretty unpopular factor. Whether or not it is the corporations who ultimately raise the prices, the workers will be blamed.

And lastly, Wal-Mart is definitely putting financial pressures on these supermarket chains. That part for sure is not just corporate propoganda, Wal Mart devoured KMart. Wal Mart could probably eat Microsoft for lunch. And just might.

In conclusion, in an exceedingly tough economy such as our current state of financial affairs, concessions should be made.

But I do have a question. If these supermarket chains offer benefits to both their full and part-time workers, then what benefit to the corporation is having a large number of part time workers rather than a moderate number of full time workers. I totally don't understand the rationale there.

The Teamsters huh?

Would those be the same Teamsters who elected Jimmy Hoffa and his Mafia buddies time and time again -- those Teamsters?

I think I like you-nothing like telling it like it is!!!!!!!

To BA: the export of jobs is pretty good for the Indians, and very good for people who own major shares in the software companies that use them. It's bad for the people facing reduced pay, as well as for all the places these people shop at (meaning real estate agents, stock brokerages, gourmet shops).

Likewise, a general drop in wages for the people who do the actual productive work, combined with a rise of profits for stockholders, is bad for the economy as a whole, because it reduces the amount of money in the economy. The cash flows upward to the rich, who don't spend money so quickly as the workers would.

The way I see it, if the average worker is too broke to spend money on engineered software goods, then I'm out of a job. We all depend on each other.

(People who work in defense are exempted from these effects somewhat. They suck at the government teat, and during Republican administrations, spending goes up, especially on defense.)

To the scab - the answer is that the UFCW should be organizing Wal Mart. Then there would be much less competitive pressure from them. As for food prices, they are pretty low compared to what they were 20 years ago. People are fatter than ever nowadays, and that says to me that food is cheaper than ever.

Thank you Natalie.

Liberals whine about substandard wages in the Nike shoe factories.

And they also whine about the export of software jobs to India

Like it or not, we live in an ever more global economy. The Internet it making it easy for people all over the world to communicate and work together. National borders are becoming less and less important. Nafta is just a start.

We have people working at 3AM in the Phillipines answering technical support phone calls from American computer buyers.

No union is strong enough to keep the Pony Express in business given the advent of the telegraph. No union is strong enough to assure increasingly high wages and benefits at the horse buggy factory when Henry Ford is hiring down the road. No union is strong enough to keep the longshoremen loading ships by hand with the advent of containerization.

Technology marches forward and eventually wins out over artificial or political barriers.

Before there were sailing ships there was virtually no economic interaction between distinct and far flung economies. The Egyptians did not trade with the Mayas.

The invention of seagoing vessels shrank the world making it possible for tomatoes to be introduced into Italy from South America, for Macadamia nuts to travel from Australia to Hawaii, and for explorers to open up new territories to civilzation.

The invention of the telegraph, and later the telephone, shrank the world even more. It was now possible to communicate in real time. Trade between diverse economies took a major upswing.

Next came the airplane which has enabled us to enjoy blueberries from Chile in February and real Dover Sole whenever we can afford to pay the price. The airplane has had an enormous impact on world trade.

And now comes the Internet, the most pervasive and important trade enabler yet.

Unions and governments are just in the way. They should stand aside and not interfere with progress.

A Poem that sums up the meaning of a SCAB

The Scab


“After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, and the vampire, he had some awful substance left with which he made a scab.


A scab is a two-legged animal with a corkscrew soul, a water brain, a combination backbone of jelly and glue. Where others have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles.


When a scab comes down the street, men turn their backs and angels weep in heaven, and the devil shuts the gates of hell to keep him out.


No man (or woman) has a right to scab so long as there is a pool of water to drown his carcass in, or a rope long enough to hang his body with. Judas was a gentleman compared with a scab. For betraying his master, he had character enough to hang himself.” A scab has not.


“Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. Judas sold his Savior for thirty pieces of silver. Benedict Arnold sold his country for a promise of a commission in the British Army.” The scab sells his birthright, country, his wife, his children and his fellowmen for an unfulfilled promise from his employer.


Esau was a traitor to himself; Judas was a traitor to his God; Benedict Arnold was a traitor to his country; a scab is a traitor to his God, his country, his family, and his class.


Author – Jack London (1876 – 1916)

Most say, "I'm just trying to feed my children" but do you not think that the 70,000 strikers don't have mouths to feed? Most strikers I've spoke to would give anything to end this battle and go back to work but it is a little thing called "brotherhood" that keeps them manning the picket lines. My husband works in the distribution center of Albertson's, in a 30 degree freezer, transferring 60 lbs. cases, insuring food gets to the stores, so YOUR family has food. He and all 70000 deserve every cent of pay and benefits if not more...Educate yourself before you speak about a topic you know little about. Stop corporate greed!!!

Why do you vilify people who are willing to work? Why are they a "Scab"? You see, here in reality land, (non union land) Employers pay market rate for whatever job they need. If someone feels the pay is not what they need, they do the honorable thing..... they quit and find another job. They don't "Strong arm" employers and in this case customers into extorting more money than they are worth. When I hear you union sheep talk about "Brotherhood" and "Scab" and "Corporate greed" I have to laugh because you see you are extinct and so are unions. Wanna be a grocery clerk? prepare to make market rate ($8.00 and hour) Do I give a shit if you can't buy a new car and house? ..... No.

I agree on most of your comments but I must say those Longshoreman are a goon squad to be contended with. During thier last strike, they crippled the economy. They too were being treated unfairly. With an average wage of over $100,000 to carry a clipboard or drive a fork lift! Get an education? Why? Just hook up with those goons and you will be much better off!

I heard the reason why there are so many part time workers is because the stores have to pay pension premiums for full time workers but not part time. .....I know what your thinking... pension????? whats that! Yea I don't get a pension either.

Let me just say, I'm not part of a union. I have a college education and a college educated required job. I don't vilify people who are willing to work; I vilify people who take advantage of a bad situation. These "SCABS" are making $19 an hour! Supermarket profits have gone up 82% to 3.1 billion over the past five years. If we allow giant profitable corporations get away with this, then every worker is at risk of losing health care benefits. The bottom line, the grocery clerks, meat cutters, bakers, distribution works, truck drivers are the main force behind you getting your food and the company's 82% profit- and how do they give thanks-cut benefits, pay, pensions & jobs-how do customers like you give thanks-go find another job.

Let me just say, I'm not part of a union. I have a college education and a college educated required job. I don't vilify people who are willing to work; I vilify people who take advantage of a bad situation. These "SCABS" are making $19 an hour! Supermarket profits have gone up 82% to 3.1 billion over the past five years. If we allow giant profitable corporations get away with this, then every worker is at risk of losing health care benefits. The bottom line, the grocery clerks, meat cutters, bakers, distribution works, truck drivers are the main force behind you getting your food and the company's 82% profit- and how do they give thanks-cut benefits, pay, pensions & jobs-how do customers like you give thanks-go find another job.

I think you missed my point. I don't care if you have a college education or not. I am not one of those people that say, "Get an education" to the grocery workers. I am simply stating that in a free market economy, Employers, like consumers will always shop for the best bargain. What you suggest is more a form of socialism. If corporations attempt to maximize their investors money they are "Greedy". As a shareholder I expect the greedy corporation to give me a return on my investment. Not pay way more than market value in salary and benefits for unionized grocery workers. Again I say if you are unhappy or feel mistreated by the greedy corporations...... FUCKING QUIT YOUR JOB AND MOVE ON.

Your pathetic and you make me sick. Its people like you that make this world such an ugly place.

why don't you go fuck your .

You strikers will strike yourselves right out of a job. The environment is changing. Do you pity the poor mom and pop bakeries, liquor stores and hardware stores when supermarkets arrived, offering all three? Get a grip. Why don't you do something that will help all the people who lost their homes to the fires? Try volunteering at a red cross, food donation center or animal shelter. Maybe it will open you eyes to what you really have. Get ready to find new jobs - supermarkets will not give in - and poor Johnny won't get that tricycle from you this holiday season.

It is a fact that these union workers are basically asked to pay benefits for healthcare that other "backstage" workers for Safeway already have to pay for. It seems ridiculous that two workers in a company that make about the same amount have to pay very different amounts for their benefits.

Stinks huh? Bet you didn't read that side people.

I find it amusing that you accuse me of making the world an ugly place when you and your goon union buddies find it acceptable to call people scabs, and think that its OK to harass customers and basically act like a bunch of thugs in name of the union. What a hypocrite you are Monique

What an intelligent and insightful response.... "Go fuck yourself" wow that new one ;-)

Grocery worker's are overpaid and underskilled. I don't see why a person bagging groceries should deserve benefits or wages in excess of state minimums. They are putting my groceries in a bag! I'll do it myself and save the stores money. If you want better pay and benefits try taking the initiative to get a college degree and do some good for society. Putting my milk and eggs in plastic is going to get you anywhere.

this thing is going to end like the alltel strike in ohio/kentucky did a few months ago the union isn't
receiving any dues while this is going on and we all know the reason unions exist is to collect dues so
theyll compromise declare victory even though the workers will have to pay as the company directs them to just on a graduaded scale and these unskilled spics and niggers can get back to being incompetent
and overpaid lumps of shit like before

Free Lunch for scabbie .
(_)_)///////////////////////////D---
And the rest of the scabs.

Free Lunch for scabbie .
(_)_)///////////////////////////D---
And the rest of the scabs.

Free Lunch for scabbie .
(_)_)///////////////////////////D---
And the rest of the scabs.

Sorry bonbon, I don't suck union dick but I bet you love sucking the union boss man off. Does he set his coffee cup on your head while you perform your "strike duty"?

So scabbie you don't like sucking union dick .
Because your to busy sucking manager dick .
Because you have no customers.
You punkass bitch (_)_)///////////////D---- happy blowing.

Well I hate to break it to you bon bon douch bag but not only do I have customers I have a paycheck. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA loser. Keep on marching with your sign and I'll keep working!

YOUR INFORMATION THAT I JUST READ ON WHAT REPLACEMENT WORKERS GET PAID IS WRONG. I AM ONE OF THOSE SO CALLED 'SCABS' . I WORK AT VONS, BUT I ALSO WORK MY REGULAR JOB. I JUST WORK FOR THE EXTRA MONEY. I FEEL PAID FOR SOME OF THE ITEMS THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR. I PAY A FORTUNE FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR MY FAMILY AND I HAVE 5 IN MY FAMILY. MY REGULAR JOB IS PAID BY COMMISSION. SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN BENEFITS. I ONLY MAKE $12 AN HOUR THERE. I WISH I WAS MAKING $19 AN HOUR, BUT THEY DON'T PAY THAT MUCH. MAYBE THE PEOPLE THEY ARE BRINGING IN FROM OTHER STATES ARE MAKING THAT MUCH BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH THERE TOLD ME THEY ARE MAKING ONLY 12. I WISH THE STRIKE WOULD END AND EVERYBODY WOULD GET BACK TO WORK. BUT FACE IT THE PRICE IS GOING UP ON EVERYTHING. YOU HAD TO KNOW THAT YOUR INSURANCE WOULD CHANGE SOME DAY.

YOUR INFORMATION THAT I JUST READ ON WHAT REPLACEMENT WORKERS GET PAID IS WRONG. I AM ONE OF THOSE SO CALLED 'SCABS' . I WORK AT VONS, BUT I ALSO WORK MY REGULAR JOB. I JUST WORK FOR THE EXTRA MONEY. I FEEL PAID FOR SOME OF THE ITEMS THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR. I PAY A FORTUNE FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR MY FAMILY AND I HAVE 5 IN MY FAMILY. MY REGULAR JOB IS PAID BY COMMISSION. SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN BENEFITS. I ONLY MAKE $12 AN HOUR THERE. I WISH I WAS MAKING $19 AN HOUR, BUT THEY DON'T PAY THAT MUCH. MAYBE THE PEOPLE THEY ARE BRINGING IN FROM OTHER STATES ARE MAKING THAT MUCH BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH THERE TOLD ME THEY ARE MAKING ONLY 12. I WISH THE STRIKE WOULD END AND EVERYBODY WOULD GET BACK TO WORK. BUT FACE IT THE PRICE IS GOING UP ON EVERYTHING. YOU HAD TO KNOW THAT YOUR INSURANCE WOULD CHANGE SOME DAY.

YOUR INFORMATION THAT I JUST READ ON WHAT REPLACEMENT WORKERS GET PAID IS WRONG. I AM ONE OF THOSE SO CALLED 'SCABS' . I WORK AT VONS, BUT I ALSO WORK MY REGULAR JOB. I JUST WORK FOR THE EXTRA MONEY. I FEEL PAID FOR SOME OF THE ITEMS THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR. I PAY A FORTUNE FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR MY FAMILY AND I HAVE 5 IN MY FAMILY. MY REGULAR JOB IS PAID BY COMMISSION. SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN BENEFITS. I ONLY MAKE $12 AN HOUR THERE. I WISH I WAS MAKING $19 AN HOUR, BUT THEY DON'T PAY THAT MUCH. MAYBE THE PEOPLE THEY ARE BRINGING IN FROM OTHER STATES ARE MAKING THAT MUCH BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH THERE TOLD ME THEY ARE MAKING ONLY 12. I WISH THE STRIKE WOULD END AND EVERYBODY WOULD GET BACK TO WORK. BUT FACE IT THE PRICE IS GOING UP ON EVERYTHING. YOU HAD TO KNOW THAT YOUR INSURANCE WOULD CHANGE SOME DAY.

YOUR INFORMATION THAT I JUST READ ON WHAT REPLACEMENT WORKERS GET PAID IS WRONG. I AM ONE OF THOSE SO CALLED 'SCABS' . I WORK AT VONS, BUT I ALSO WORK MY REGULAR JOB. I JUST WORK FOR THE EXTRA MONEY. I FEEL PAID FOR SOME OF THE ITEMS THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR. I PAY A FORTUNE FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR MY FAMILY AND I HAVE 5 IN MY FAMILY. MY REGULAR JOB IS PAID BY COMMISSION. SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY OWN BENEFITS. I ONLY MAKE $12 AN HOUR THERE. I WISH I WAS MAKING $19 AN HOUR, BUT THEY DON'T PAY THAT MUCH. MAYBE THE PEOPLE THEY ARE BRINGING IN FROM OTHER STATES ARE MAKING THAT MUCH BUT MOST OF THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH THERE TOLD ME THEY ARE MAKING ONLY 12. I WISH THE STRIKE WOULD END AND EVERYBODY WOULD GET BACK TO WORK. BUT FACE IT THE PRICE IS GOING UP ON EVERYTHING. YOU HAD TO KNOW THAT YOUR INSURANCE WOULD CHANGE SOME DAY.

Well sacbbie you convince me that your a fag .
I might the guy out holding a sign .
But i'll still be a better man then you .
ass hole.

keep sucking dick (_)_)////////////////D ------------

you are such an idot!!!! I bet you shop at walmart,and have never learned to stand up for something in your life.you are ignorant as to what this strike is about.
education is power...if you have kids...bet they will be as stupid as you.

You all should be ashamed of yourselves!!! Basking in the glory of your latest victory - no more food for the major grocery chains. What about elderly people or people with no car who HAVE to shop at these stores?? Shame on you for saying "Ha Ha" - especially in this time of war and of the upcoming holidays and right after the devastating fires. Those victims of the fires have no home and now you are saying ha ha at the fact that they may not have food for their Thanksgiving meal - no house no food...nice... real nice. Thanks to the union's latest move, I will no longer shop at Vons, Ralphs or Albertsons when this strike is over. Keil's has my business from here on out. I am so disgusted with all of you!!

I just wanted to say that my family is with all of you. I make it a point to bring my children out with me at least once or twice a week. I have explained to my oldest son what is going on. He then ran over, picked up a sign and started yelling "Don't shop at Albertsons" and "Customers for the Union". This was his idea. I just wanted to show him a little activism. He now asks every day to go there. My younger son copies his brother, but when someone ignores him he sticks out his tongue at the shoppers who cross the picket line. I have been involved myself as well. At the beginnig of the strike, one of the scab truck drivers actually threatened me that he would run me over. I yelled at him that I was a customer, and he repeated his statement. The only reason I moved was because the manager of the store politely asked me to move. We need more customers to show their support. My spirit is with all of you that are still on the picket line. My prayers are that this will end very soon. Keep your spirit up.

I hope all of you Union sheep that have decided to intimidate customers who choose to shop where they want to understand what you are doing to your livelihood. I think you fail to realize (no surprise since you union sheep live in a fantasy world) that customers are the only reason you ever had a job. So if you want to march around with a sign, fine. But keep your pie hole shut and keep your kids at home......Asshole

I wonder if the union sheep know how much the union executives make while they march around for $200 a week? Here is a link they may find interesting
http://www.reapinc.org/Briefing%20Papers/Big%20Salaries%20(BP4).htm

Corporate greed?......Indeed

Union leaders and the companies meet only to suck each other off while the federal mediator jacks off watching them. I'm a distribution worker for Ralphs and I am tired of getting screwed by both of them.The company and the union both don't care about me. How can I choose the right side when both sides are wrong. Yes, the union really doesn't care about us, they want to preserve themselves. I finally realized that after eight miserable years of fighting with BOTH SIDES. Screw the company and screw the union leaders. Both of them are getting paid six figure salaries while we get nothing, waiting for them to decide our futures.

Union leaders and the companies meet only to suck each other off while the federal mediator jacks off watching them. I'm a distribution worker for Ralphs and I am tired of getting screwed by both of them.The company and the union both don't care about me. How can I choose the right side when both sides are wrong. Yes, the union really doesn't care about us, they want to preserve themselves. I finally realized that after eight miserable years of fighting with BOTH SIDES. Screw the company and screw the union leaders. Both of them are getting paid six figure salaries while we get nothing, waiting for them to decide our futures.

you must be the dumbest person working as a banana scanner,the drivle is just amazing. Get back to work dumbshit, havn't you lost enough money.

To Albertsons/Vons/Ralph’s Stores:

I’m just one of the MANY formerly loyal customers that WILL NEVER SHOP ALBERTSONS/VONS/RALPH’S AGAIN. (Take a poll online at CNN.COM or something and shock yourselves).

I, like many, was harassed by pickers, then once in the store could only find limited help and/or products that I needed. From then on I started shopping elsewhere.

See, like most shoppers, I want to shop for groceries, not political sides. The Union says they’re being fleeced, the CEO’s say they’re getting what all people in America are getting, “right sized” “down sized” “cut back” “ leveling off” …whatever. I’m sure the truth lies somewhere in between. But, WE DON’T CARE. That is the very fact both sides have missed. Unless you are a union worker, married to a union worker, or in the past given birth to a union worker, you just don’t get unions. And when you don’t fully comprehend the dispute all you tend to focus on is the HUGE INCONVIENCE coming basically a store (and it’s employees) that you USED to spend mass amounts of money at.

This 5 month long power struggle will cost you indefinitely. It will cost your customers nothing to shop at Costco, (that’s where I’ll be shopping from now on, and Traders, and Farm Boys, and just about anywhere but Albersons or Vons or Ralph’s….NEVER liked that place anyway, it was no use to the picketers to open that chain. We USED to prefer Albertsons 10 times more.) instead of an Albertsons/Vons/Ralph’s. But it will cost both your company, (since you won’t see a red cent of my money no matter how many coupon books you send out), and your employees (they will suffer when sales don’t come back up and jobs are subsequently cut).

I hope it was worth it. Because you managed to leave a nasty taste in Southern California’s mouth that will out last your strike many times over.

--- Former Albertsons/Vons shopper