Kroger employees veto contract offers

[IndianaGreen]

Kroger employees veto contract offers
Facing a possible strike, stores seek temporary hires
By Bill W. Hornaday, David Penticuff and April Marciszewski
October 25, 2003

Kroger workers in Indiana overwhelmingly rejected contract offers Friday that would limit health care benefits and wages for new hires -- a move that sets the stage for a possible strike as early as Nov. 2.

Kroger clerks voted 1,487 to 359 against the offer, an 81 percent majority. Meanwhile, meat cutters voted 194-34 to reject, an 85 percent majority.

"What this vote says is that these people are not willing to accept the benefit cuts Kroger has offered," said Rian Wathen, a spokesman for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 700.

"So, now what happens between now and November 1st is up to Kroger, and with the scheduled negotiations, they have ample opportunities to modify their offers."

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/3/086558-2773-031.html

[mmm]

1. Looks like I'll not be shopping at Kroger as of Nov 2

[jamesinca]

2. But wait, CBS news released a poll saying pay, not benifits.

I thought most Americans wanted bigger paychecks not any kind of benifit according to the CBS poll released. Maybe that was among the unemployed tht wanted the checks. Damn union workers wanting some type of social program, must be communist running that union. Remind me to Local 700 a check and some cans of non perishable foods if this should go to a strike.

[The Zanti Regent]

3. Strike in So California sees no end in sight

The Ralph's (Kroger) wroekrs in Souther California have been on strike for the past 2 weeks and there is no end in sight...

[David Zephyr]

8. Here in Southern California the Public is Standing With the Strikers.

The strikers at my local Vons and Ralphs have told me that both stores no longer have meat or perishables. :thumbsup:

Strike!

[tedzbear]

9. In Los Angeles Gelson's is doing tremendous business...

Most people, including myself, are committed to not crossing the picket lines. Before my current disability, I was in IATSE 683 and my wonderful union pension has saved my life. The benefits that have helped me so much are not offered at Walmart unless you are a manager or executive with their company.
Thank God for these strikers who are fighting to keep the health care that our pharmaceutical controlled Congress will never provide. If we were like Canada with universal health care, then we wouldn't need to strike.

:kick: Kroger!

[FauxNewsBlues]

10. Trader Joe's is doing well

I think I read somewhere that some stores that usually do $30,000 a day in business, are now doing $70,000.

I actually found a new independent grocery store because of this strike. It's only about one mile away, but I never noticed it.

A management flunky has basically said they are going to break the union and the strike. The amound of cuts they are going to get if they win will more than make up from the lost revenue from the strike unless the strikers can hold out for many many months.

[nolabels]

15. Riverside / San Burntadino based STATER BROTHERS

Hired 1000+ strikers to Help out in their overrun stores. The CEO of Staters, Jack Brown, seams like a decent guy and a good bussinessman, to me anyway. Too bad there are not more STATER BROS

[villager]

11. the media spins it differently

... with a "Shoppers Grow Weary of Strike" article:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=589874

[Zhade]

16. Complete media spin bullshit.

I live directly across the street from one of the chains that locked out their workers and drive past three others on my way to work - the stores are losing money hand over fist. The parking lots are remarkably thin, and the honks for support go on all day long.

No, this isn't over by a long shot. If this strike fails, it fails for more than the unions involved - it's a failure for all unions.

[Don_G]

4. The HQ Of The Kroger Co

Is in Cincinatti, Ohio. Want to bet that the CEO's live and breathe in a "right-to-work" state and are counting on "Herr Groupenfurher" to save them a few bucks?

I'm sure that they're trying to cut costs, but it's hard to mold a business that deals in fresh food and customer service after the Wal-Mart/Chinese WSJ articles I'm sure they read.

[Fitzovich]

5. Grocery Strike and Lockouts

Remember that 10,000 workers in metro St. Louis, Mo have also been out since 10.07.03 over wages and healthcare. Picket lines here are holding strong and business is off up to 80% in some of the stores. Public support has been fantastic including customers visiting the lines bringing donuts, other food and wood for the fire pits to keep us warm. Local Labor Council has started a collection to supplement the strike funds and many other local Unions have joined us on the picket lines. Please support the striking and locked out workers across the country through whatever means you can. Your support is greatly appreciated and sends a clear message to all employers. "Enough Concessions, It Stops NOW!"

[IndianaGreen]

6. Jobs With Justice Supporters

Subject: (CENTRAL) JOBS WITH JUSTICE: Kroger Workers Reject Contract Offers

Date: 25 Oct 2003 13:41:51 -0500

Jobs With Justice Supporters,

The workers of one of our coalition members, the United Food and Commercial Workers, have voted to reject a contract offer by Kroger.

See: http://www.ufcw700.org/index.asp and

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/3/086558-2773-031.html

Those of you who saw NOW with Bill Moyers on PBS about the Tyson strike know that the Kroger offer follows a pattern by U.S. corporations to increase profits for the rich by reducing employee wages and benefits to the poverty line and below. This follows the megarich robber barons like Carnegie, Rockefeller, and, more recently, the Waltons. As Union Theological Seminary's Joseph Hough stated on the program, the increasing divide in wealth is a moral issue that endangers the future functioning of our society... and may call for nonviolent civil disobedience.

See: http://www.pbs.org/now/thisweek/index.html

Jobs With Justice wants our UFCW brothers and sisters to know that we stand with them in their struggle to receive fair wages and benefits from Kroger for their labor. It is the people who serve us when we shop that makes the difference for Kroger, not the products.

[Fitzovich]

7. Much Appreciated!

Your support is greatly appreciated from a member of UFCW Local 655

[Sinistrous]

12. I remember another time a union dared to defy Kroger.

In Pittsburgh, Kroger tried to force major concessions from its workers. The union struck, and Kroger simply closed all its stores and its distribution center in the area.

Maybe somone here can flesh out the details of this event.

These guys play hard, hard, hardball.

[goforit]

13. Go K.Clerks!!!!......I haven't crossed the line yet!!!

Bear down for the making of history!!!

[Tansy_Gold]

14. Invisible picket lines

at Wal-Mart.

Don't cross them.

Ever.

[CShine]

17. Hear! Hear!

Boycott Wal-Mart! (Too many reasons to mention)

[Zhade]

18. Wal-Mart: Lower Morals, Everyday!

EVIL company. EVIL!