Labor strike in Southern California!

[knight_of_the_star]

Just got confirmation from my union. Currently, the labor force at Vons, Albertsons, and Ralphs in Southern California are going on strike. We ahve the Teamsters and Bakers unions backing us. I'm sure that myself and the rest of the union will be MOST pleased if ANYONE here can help with the strike in any way that they can, preferably by joining the picket lines but at the very least boycott Vons, Albertsons, and Ralphs for the duration of the strike. We start tomorrow. For those SoCal DUers, Stater Bros is NOT striking, but we will have to abide by the same terms as the other three stores, so you can expect that we will be busy helping out our Union bretheren. Please help us win this strike. The management of all the above stores are trying to strip us of our health care benefits, cap our wages to $4.00 an hour less than they are, cut back when night premium is being paid, eliminate Sunday pay, make it so that they can establish new stores that are NOT union shops, cut our dental benefits, and various other nasty little bits that are just quite shocking. There are also rumours that the strike could spill over into Arizona, so Arizona DUers be ready over there. Please support organized labour!

[Kamika]

1. wow goodluck

Wishing my best

[knight_of_the_star]

4. Thanks

We'll need it! Just boycott the striking stores and we should be fine!

Union Solidarity!

[nini]

2. I'm with ya!

my nephew works for Ralphs.. his first job and first strike!

He's learning quick.

Stay Strong!

[knight_of_the_star]

8. Here's something you can do to help

In store disruption. All of the striking stores have hired scabs, so I would advise that you go in, get a full cart of groceries, then after they ring it up say that you didn't think it would be that much, don't have enouhg money, etc, and say that you don't want any of it. They will have to cancel the order and aput it all back and for an untraiend scab checker to void a cartful of groceries and they then have to put them back, so it will slow them down and waste their time. I intend to be doing that because our store isn't striking for reasons I don't entirely understand, so if any DUers live in the North County area of SD county and see someone in a green apron at the picket lines, tha would be me!

Take it to the corporations! Join the picket lines and support your local unions today!

[Howardx]

3. ive stocked up on groceries

so i dont have to cross your picket lines!

[knight_of_the_star]

5. Thanks man!

Turns out, Ralphs, Albertsons, and Vons have done the same thing because we have the Teamsters on our side! I'd like to see how long they're willing to play chicken without the trucks running supplies for them.

[Howardx]

9. i come from a long line

of union members

[burrowowl]

6. Good Luck!

eom

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. I have family in Calif and Arizona

I will e-mail and let them know about this. My family are strong Union supporters. My Dad was a Union organizer and a Union arbitrator. My brother is a Union member. I am sure they will help out anyway they can. Yes! Support Organized Labor!

[knight_of_the_star]

10. Coolness!

Thank you so much! We're going to need all the support we can get in this strike to win!

[Clete]

11. Damn, did they all have to go on strike?

These are the only supermarkets in my area besides Scolari's which is rather pricey. I won't cross a picket line though.

[knight_of_the_star]

14. Thanks!

We need all the support that we can get!

[maveric]

12. I was in Vons today. Heard an asst. mgr. tell the checkers that...

its only a rumor (strike), and dont beleive what you hear. Meanwhile a few checkstands down, at least 12 young people were with a Vons rep orienting for a job. Looks like a scab force being set to go forth when the rumors of a strike materialize.

[knight_of_the_star]

13. They aren't rumours my friend

The union just rejected the terms offered to us by 99.1% against. The companies are refusing to budge, we're going on strike. Our union rep has told us that Staters is NOT striking for some odd reason, but he has said that there WILL be a strike starting tomorrow.

Fight the corporations, support your local union!

[maveric]

16. I figred that they would, and should.

It was kind of amusing seeing the asst. mgr. do a Kevin Bacon, from Animal House, "remain calm, you have nothing to worry about".

[slackmaster]

15. I will not cross your picket line

I'll get my groceries at independent stores and farmer's markets until the dispute is settled.

FYI I generally shop at Von's 2-3 times every week.

Best of luck in your action.

[silverweb]

17. We're with you!

I have a friend who has worked at Albertson's (formerly Lucky) for years and he is furious about management demands! My family and I are in complete solidarity with you.

What do you know about Henry's Marketplace (aka Wild Oats) and Whole Foods stores? We shop mostly at Henry's and People's Co-op anyway, but often need a couple little items from one of the larger chains.

[MR. ELECTABLE]

20. Not so good...

<snip>

If you think things are any different at feel-good natural food stores like Wild Oats, think again. The Boulder-based Wild Oats natural supermarket chain is a notorious union-buster. In fact, the National Labor Relations Board recently scheduled a hearing to determine whether Wild Oats engaged in unfair labor practices by allegedly withholding profit-sharing checks after workers at a Food for Thought store in Connecticut joined the United Food and Commercial Workers.

</snip>

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/2001-02-15/zakin.html

[silverweb]

21. Thanks for the info on Wild Oats.

What about Whole Foods Markets? They're a little less convenient for us to get to and considerably more expensive, but I'll switch to them if they have good labor practices.

Got the good word on Trader Joe's. That's a fun store to shop in, anyway. :)

[rucky]

23. The Skinny on Whole Foods

Movement to unionize - Whole Foods is fighting it hard.

http://www.ufcw.org/issues_and_actions/whole_foods_workers_unite/index.cfm

Whole Foods Workers Unite
On Friday, July 12, 2002 a majority of the workers in Madison, WI joined together for better wages, better benefits, fair and equal treatment, and a voice in workplace decisions at Whole Foods.

www.wholeworkersunite.org

[silverweb]

25. Thank you!

That's valuable information and I'll be sure to pass it on.

:hi:

[smallprint]

18. Good luck

I'll tell my family in SoCal to support this.

[knight_of_the_star]

19. Just to mention

I'm UFCW 135 for any other union members out there.

[realFedUp]

22. Good luck to you all

I did go to Vons today...looking a bit shabby on the
shelves and checkers morose...hope it doesn't last
long.

[angka]

24. solidarity FIST

i am with you. good luck.

(CWA Local #1118)

[dbt]

26. There's Something Happening Here

Labor strikes at Cali food stores, just after the Regime announces all food supplies will be monitored to fight Terra. The PATRIOT Act gives the Regime power to arrest anyone at any time for any suspicion. bu$h is now seen as helping Cali--after he wouldn't have walked across the street to piss on Gray Davis if the latter had been on fire.

It's beginning to look like Ahnold stole the "election," Repugs are bugging the Philly mayor's office (couldn't have anything to do with those juicy PA Elctoral Votes, could it?)

And all you can see on your Thoughtscreen is Rush the Junkie and Kobe the Rapist.

Oh, yeah. There's a full moon tonight. 'Scuze me while I howl awhile!!

:scared:
dbt
(Proud son of a USWA member, Hot Spring County, Arkansas)