• 13Nov 09

  Strike Averted! Hallelujah!

  http://www.ufcw99.com/negotiations.html

  I went to work this morning feeling very upset, thinking today would be my last full day of work for a long time, but moments after I arrived, I was informed that the union and the company had reached an agreement. It was a huge sigh of relief on the part of every employee. Exactly what happened that made them reach this agreement remains to be seen. I tend to believe both sides blinked. The company, which is the Number 1 supermarket chain in Arizona knew their reign would be in severe jeopardy in the event of a strike during the holiday season, and the union knew that many of their members were extremely disenchanted at the prospect of being forced by them to strike at such a time without a vote, and already saw a loss in membership, with many more threatening to quit. This agreement still has to be voted on, but there is little doubt that it will pass overwhelmingly. Life still has its problems, but this was a ton of bricks that has just been lifted from my shoulders. It's been a very tense week, and now it's time to give thanks to God and St. Jude.

  In a few days, again if my PC allows it, I'll blog again, and maybe throw in a quiz. Thanks for your comments and prayers (is anyone else having trouble posting comments?).

  • Posted Nov 13, 2009 3:33 pm PT
  • Category: Opinion
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• 11Nov 09

  Union Remains Stubborn!

  Here's a link to a press release on the union website:

  http://www.ufcw99.com/negotiations.html

  Don't believe a word of it! It's all propaganda. I know for a fact that the vast majority of union workers are opposed to this strike, and want to work over the holidays. We at least want a chance to vote on it. The union claims that we voted for it in September, but that's a half-truth. There was a vote, but it was at a rally that was attended by relatively few members, and I'm told by some that it was a stand-up vote, no ballots. Also, negotiations were still going on at the time, and most of those who voted did so to give the union more leverage at the bargaining table, not because they wanted to strike. It was a preliminary vote, but the union stubbornly stands on it as final. At any rate, that's their excuse for not allowing a "revote", even though one co-worker says that he was told by someone who attended a union meeting that the local union president promised there would be no strike without another vote (though I can't verify that he actually said that).

  Many of my co-workers are living paycheck to paycheck and don't know how they'll be able to keep their homes. Forget about Christmas presents for their kids. One co-worker, a big, tough-looking guy, was almost in tears when he said that if there's strike, he'll lose everything. All for a contract offer from the company that most of us find acceptable. This union seems intent on being the Grinch who stole Chritmas from its own members.

  Thanks to those who left comments. I tried to post a comment, but I was unable to get it posted. I'll keep you posted, as long as my computer lets me. Please keep me and and my co-workers in your thoughts and prayers.

  P.S. The above banner is a statue of St. Jude the Apostle, the patron saint of desperate cases. He was reveared by, among others, Danny Thomas, who named a children's hospital in his honor. Jamie Farr, too. Heading into the eleventh hour, I hope he'll listen to me too.

  • Posted Nov 11, 2009 4:07 pm PT
  • Category: Rant
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• 8Nov 09

  Strike clouds looming!

  I've been having PC problems again, and to get it to work I have to keep turning it on and off until I can get online without an error message that forces it to shut down. My IE browser is also down, but fortunately I discovered I can surf the web using the browser on my Realplayer.

  Like the above title says, there is the likelihood of a strike where I work unless the company meets the union's demands by November 13 (Friday the 13th). That appears unlikely. The company has made it pretty clear that they have made their final proposal, so the union will likely call a strike. They so far refuse to allow a vote on the company's proposal. Their rationale is that we already voted on it at a union meeting in September, one which I and many other members did not attend for a variety of reasons, in which members voted to authorize a strike. That vote, however, was not so much a refusal by members of the new proposal, as a vote to give the union bargaining power. Now it appears they have already gotten the best proposal we can hope for. In my observation, most of my fellow employees, at least at my store, find the new proposal agreeable, and anything better is not worth risking our homes over. Yesterday at work there was a petition calling on the union to allow us to vote on the contract, and the number of signatures was overwhelming. As far as I know, this petition has no binding authority, but we're hoping it will convince the union that there is little support for a strike, and that they should let us vote.

  In past comments I have defended being a union member, and I do not regret it. Unions come in handy as a safeguard against companies that try to make a profit with little or no concern for their workers. Years ago at one time this company had such leadership, and that was what provided the welcome mat for this union to come in, whereas before there had been little talk of unionization. I only wish that this union would defend our rights without forcing us out of our homes. This strike isn't necessary.

  I have some money in a savings account, already made smaller by giving to relatives in need, and some of which I had hoped to use for a pilgrimage to Italy and the Vatican. If this strike happens, a strike that would likely last for months, I will need every penny just to get by until it runs out in a few months. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my head bowed in prayer.

  Sorry, no quizzes for a while. Perhaps when and if this thing blows over.

  P.S. Thanks for your comments and well wishes and prayers, everybody. I'll keep you posted, as long as my computer permits. I'm posting this in an edit of the blog because I can't get get "submit" button tp work when I try to post a comment.

  • Posted Nov 8, 2009 7:33 am PT
  • Category: Rant
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