I haven't gone into Ralphs since the strike began. Trader Joes is running out of food. Traffic has been a complete and total nighmare since the MTA went out.

And then, the fires came. The one reason I support unions is because of the idea that with a bit of unity on some issues we can collectively fix problems and have more power than "the man."
The idea is that the whole city should be unified in demanding better benefits from companies.
Unfortunately, when it comes to disaster, strikers only feel unity when it comes to their own.
The firemen in the mountains have had it hard the past few days. I am sure some of them, unionised themselves I bet, have taken the time to drive an extra mile to TJ's or Whole Foods to support the Ralph's people. Some of them may even be metro riders.
But what I'd like to hear, in conditions where they sleep one out of three days, is that the strikers care also.
Here we have hundreds of people not working.
And there we have thousands of guys working overtime.
For whatever reason, it's more important to stand in front of Ralph's.
But it would be so much more effective if the strikers used their grocery skills to help out on the line of fire.
I am sure no one would walk into a Ralph's if they left one guy behind with a sign that said, "Strikers helping with fire needs today, please honor our pickett line."
In fact, the people of Los Angeles would be amazed.
We could have a solid argument that these food workers not only care about themselves, but the community as a whole.
Yesterday, the firemen on some lines didn't get food for over 24 hours.
Unity is not just about your union, it's about your community.
It's time we all joined hands on every issue and had an effect. I guarantee, if the food service union gave the firemen some help, not one would ever go to Ralph's again untill benefits were secure.
Just a thought.