It may be that management decided to boost the employee contribution to their healthcare plan under the assumption that the union would not dare strike because of the bad economy. So a strike may have been deemed unfortunate but necessary. As for the temps, they might not have much to do if customers choose not to cross the picket line; and at the picket line, the strikers will be stating their case, which may well sway people who are having their own problems with healthcare premiums.
Any way it goes, fellow Arizonan, we're in for an interesting few weeks, is my guess.
posted by claybo
over 2 years ago
Probably not. Main problem is that union employees can't see the forest for the trees and won't realize the fallacy in their thinking until well after the fact. Been there, done that -- but not in a union situation.
it really is unfortunate, because if a member does not strike, he/she will be fined by the Union.
so, does anyone know if unemployment kicks in while this is going on? Otherwise, I hear they will only be getting about $100 per week.
Kroger has taken over a number of regional groceries on the West Coast. Different locals involved because of the different original ownership. No new contract for union members in almost 3 years in some cases. Kroger uses mostly part time employees. The health issue is that in the absence of a contract Kroger is threatening to assess all employees full cost of health coverage. In many cases the health assessment will exceed the earnings of the employees
Must admit to not fully understanding the situation.. The local paper reports both the union president and the head of several locals were arrested by management at one of the area stores here. Didn't read the full story but apparently labor-management in the grocery business are both frustrated. There was a fairly bitter strike in California about 5 years ago for grocery workers, mostly involving Safeway stores.
Grocery is a strange business with very low margins. Kroger is the most profitable grocer in the country and the second largest retailer next to Walmart. There has been massive consolidation in the industry in recent years.
Interesting you should say that John, because I heard on the news tonight that California management were actually coming here to help fill in where needed. As a matter of fact, I hear they are all meeting at some hotel right now.
I have no use for unions. Their usefulness is long gone, and now jso much the member dues goes to the union presidents, and union members are the one who pay the price. And consumers who have to pay more to make up the difference. Grrr. IMO, anyway.
For those who say they don't care for unions, look what has happened to wages and benefits for American workers since the strength of unions has been undermined. If a union is a bad union, they have no where to look except themselves. That is because most unions I know are one person one vote, microcosms of our American democracy. If unions let their bosses become yes men, just like in a democracy you always have the right to vote the bums out.
How different from working with the CEO and board of a corporation. You can't vote them out, because the people who own the company for the most part are not the ones who make it run. If they want to get their bonuses raised another million and a half, all they need to do is get you a crappier insurance benefit or lay off some workers.
I'm not saying that there are not some crappy unions out there. but organizing is not just for fighting management, it is also about fighting UNION management as well. Personally I would like it best if the workers owned their own company. My brother works for an outfit where the difference in pay between their top management and their lowest paid workers is not that great. Management is done by teams made up of all levels of employees as well. When they hire a new worker or a new manager, one of these teams makes the decision. Yes there is upper level okay that takes place, but mostly the operations are left to the employees. There are financial incentives to exceeding production and quality expectations in the form of bonuses. In their company there is no need for unions. That is not true from what I've seen in most places. Corporate greed by the bosses seems to have no bounds. Making a strong vibrant union more essential than ever.
I've just seen some companies where it is sometimes mandatory for workers to join unions - they have to pay the dues, if they don't agree with strike called then they are fined - it's just not fair. And a union can cripple and demolish a smaller organization.
In a perfect world, Labrys, the way your brother's company works would be great. You just don't find that very often.
Everyones health benifits have gone way up in cost. I can't strike. I'm not in a union. I moved to my husbands insurance & he pay $75.00 dollars per week for 2 of us. I don't know what it is for family.
My co-workers wife works for a Pepsico company & there premiums just doubled.
I guess this is where health care reform comes in.
