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.

I've grown to love your posts.

I have to say that you are probably the only regular around here who doesn't have at least one axe to grind with someone else here and your posts always seem very genuine and innocent.

I am not supportive of the strike and I loathe unions. That said, I haven't crossed the line once either. And, being someone who cooks alot for alot of people quite often, I've had many opportunities to go into my local Ralphs like usual (luckily, smart and Final sells Fresca). But I haven't. Reason being, that while I don't agree with the strikers, I respect that it's their fight and it doesn't help me to actively go against them. If the strike results in higher prices at Ralphs I'll go elsewhere.

Anyway, it would be nice to see the strikers AND the stores doing something to help the firefighters. I bought shampoo for some AIDS charity drive the other day at Mayfair. Hopefully, something like that will be set up for the firefighters and victims.

Anyway, thnks for the post.

By the way, no offense, but I had to laugh at the phrase,
"use their grocery skills".

Hopefully it'll shame some people into action.

But I'm afraid it won't.

As you said, it's all about selfishness.

Clean up the burning house on aisle 11!

The strikers are obviously quite busy now. Maybe Nonanarchist, Steve and Fresca can go help fight the fires, since they seem to have nothing better to do with their time than post reactionary nonsense on this site.

No doubt the strikers are busy. They're busy doing what they do best: Thinking of themselves rather than others.

Sorry; the commute is too long for me to go put out SoCal.

You spring for airfare, though, and I'll be all over it.

I dont think I need to start packing, though.

Don't you have to revolutionary nonsense to post on this site?

Meyer, you really are an ass.

First of all, I'm thanking mymzic for her post. Hardly reactionary.
In addition, I'm not putting the strikers down; I said that I haven't and won't cross the line.

Further, I, unlike you, have shown an interest in what can be done to help the victims and the firefighters.

You've truly revealed what a boorish asshole you are.

Thanks.

I read your first post here....
You actually shop at smart and final?
Thats a French- owned company!!!

"Thats a French- owned company!!!"

Son of a bitch.

For real?

Dont talk shit!
I was just trying to keep you up to date on the embargo.
Real americans dont support / or buy from these scumbags.
Geeesh, Try and help some one out.

No, no, no, S&F is NOT French owned, it's owned by a guy named French or something like that. One of these stupid urban legends.