So Cal Grocery Store Strike

[djunkie]

This is where I disagree...and a lot has to do with being raised with the proper attitude. I don't think people should get paid anymore than a job is worth especially in a global economy where the competition not only is paying only that which the job is worth, they are working on new technologies to signficantly reduce or remove any and all human workers. To try and guilt people into paying more for something not because they brought value, but because they don't want to starve because they are too lazy or too scared to get new skills is not my problem. Now, if someone in a job really brings additional value to a job, then I am more than happy to see them rewarded, but most people who think they do, really are lying to themselves and mistake a job that is neccesary as the job that makes a company profitable. Unions are about as useful as a calculator watch these days, and their only tool is fear that "management" wants to take advantage of them. I don't operate in fear, I thrive in opportunities - which are everywhere...you just have to open your eyes.
Hey agree that if a worker isn't worth a shit then he/she should be gone. Technology is here and its not the workers to blame. People like to say that the workers asking for more money is the cause of automization (sp) in the work place. I don't thinks that true. An employer is gonna look for ways to cut costs no matter what and if a machine does it then thats the way they are gonna go. Funny thing is though in my industry is in our last contract our employer offered more money to take away certain jobs from us. As well as upping 401k and retirement. So far it has kicked them in the ass since their multi million dollar computer systems have been nothing but pieces of shit and slow our job down. Now they have to hire more people to make up for it.

[lewiville]

Hey agree that if a worker isn't worth a shit then he/she should be gone. Technology is here and its not the workers to blame. People like to say that the workers asking for more money is the cause of automization (sp) in the work place. I don't thinks that true. An employer is gonna look for ways to cut costs no matter what and if a machine does it then thats the way they are gonna go. Funny thing is though in my industry is in our last contract our employer offered more money to take away certain jobs from us. As well as upping 401k and retirement. So far it has kicked them in the ass since their multi million dollar computer systems have been nothing but pieces of shit and slow our job down. Now they have to hire more people to make up for it.
DJ,
good point

[HM]

Hey agree that if a worker isn't worth a shit then he/she should be gone. Technology is here and its not the workers to blame. People like to say that the workers asking for more money is the cause of automization (sp) in the work place. I don't thinks that true. An employer is gonna look for ways to cut costs no matter what and if a machine does it then thats the way they are gonna go. Funny thing is though in my industry is in our last contract our employer offered more money to take away certain jobs from us. As well as upping 401k and retirement. So far it has kicked them in the ass since their multi million dollar computer systems have been nothing but pieces of shit and slow our job down. Now they have to hire more people to make up for it.
I think we are more or less on the same page. I am not a "company" man either. I worked for a Fortune 500 company and that was as bad as working for the government. It is extremely hard to bring value, and you get people nearly rioting when you do, because you make someone look bad. I worked for UPS and that is where I developed my complete hatred of Unions. I was a guy who was beating his route by 3-4 hours a day, and during christmas, I would beat it by 6 or more hours. The shop steward hated me and told me I made the other guys look bad...because I was willing to kick ass? I was 21 at the time. Then, the "old timers" told me I would "learn" to slow down. I didn't get it....nor did I last much longer than a year....and people thought I was crazy when I quit that job - as that was a good paying fairly secure job. But, I am into opportunity more than I am into security....as I beleive there is no security...and anyone who tells you there is just trying profit on your fear. That is why I went into sales....i knew if I always generated sales, I would be secure as everyone needs someone who can sell.
I realize that I am not average when it comes to drive and ambition. My corporate lawyer asked my wife what it was like being married to a freight train. But, at the same time, I don't think I do anything than look around and see what is coming and try to do things to stay ahead of the change curve - and I think other people like to stick their head in the sand and hope that things don't change, or pay people a lot of money to fight change....while still keeping their head in the sand.

[mrs.rvrluvr]

i was a trader joe's shopper BEFORE the strike. now, everytime i go in there, doesn't matter what time of day, weekday or weekend, it is PACKED. this is really annoying to me, because it wasn't nearly as busy before the strike. the strike definitely increased biz for tj's, which is good for them, but i find myself just running up to my neighborhood von's or stater's because i don't feel like dealing with the crowds at tj's.
edit: we are suppose to be getting a tj's in claremont. i am hoping this one won't be as busy as the one in upland, which is where i usually go.
We did the same thing. We don't have a TJ's in the High Desert, yet. I go down to the one in Upland, it is really busy. Can't wait for the one in Claremont...I grew up there and that city is perfect for TJ's.

[boater250s]

I think we are more or less on the same page. I am not a "company" man either. I worked for a Fortune 500 company and that was as bad as working for the government. It is extremely hard to bring value, and you get people nearly rioting when you do, because you make someone look bad. I worked for UPS and that is where I developed my complete hatred of Unions. I was a guy who was beating his route by 3-4 hours a day, and during christmas, I would beat it by 6 or more hours. The shop steward hated me and told me I made the other guys look bad...because I was willing to kick ass? I was 21 at the time. Then, the "old timers" told me I would "learn" to slow down. I didn't get it....nor did I last much longer than a year....and people thought I was crazy when I quit that job - as that was a good paying fairly secure job. But, I am into opportunity more than I am into security....as I beleive there is no security...and anyone who tells you there is just trying profit on your fear. That is why I went into sales....i knew if I always generated sales, I would be secure as everyone needs someone who can sell.
I realize that I am not average when it comes to drive and ambition. My corporate lawyer asked my wife what it was like being married to a freight train. But, at the same time, I don't think I do anything than look around and see what is coming and try to do things to stay ahead of the change curve - and I think other people like to stick their head in the sand and hope that things don't change, or pay people a lot of money to fight change....while still keeping their head in the sand.
You sound like you were one great UPS delivery driver. To beat your route by three to four hours or six hours at Christmas time, you can't be doing the job properly. You either came in early, went through your package car which means you worked off the clock or had a large pick-up which had a lot of small packages to boost your route. Management would look the other way because you're making them look good but as soon as you did something wrong like an accident or packages come up missing that's when they would have nailed you. I've been with the company for twenty-two years, and I've never seen someone beat their route by six hours. Not a package driver anymore, yeah the unions do have a problems and I think their main objective is to make money-like any other company. Just my two-cents.

[HM]

You sound like you were one great UPS delivery driver. To beat your route by three to four hours or six hours at Christmas time, you can't be doing the job properly. You either came in early, went through your package car which means you worked off the clock or had a large pick-up which had a lot of small packages to boost your route. Management would look the other way because you're making them look good but as soon as you did something wrong like an accident or packages come up missing that's when they would have nailed you. I've been with the company for twenty-two years, and I've never seen someone beat their route by six hours. Not a package driver anymore, yeah the unions do have a problems and I think their main objective is to make money-like any other company. Just my two-cents.
Well, I did get audited and popped for no seat belt one time, also got popped for jamming the latch on the sliding door. But, this was back in 1989. My route was in El Cajon in San Diego. I had a route with a lot of COD's with mostly business, very little residential. Only had one claim on the route in which they had a problem with and that was when I did a DR on a condo. It was 11 PM and I noted MCW. They tried to deduct it from my pay, but they needed my signature and I refused. Got put on double secret probation as it was just after my "latch jamming" write up. It was pretty easy to beat routes by 6 hours as they were giving me 20 hours, and I was doing them in 14. Those 20 hour loads were usually the week and a half just before christmas. I worked two christmas seasons (88-89) My non-christmas time days were usually 11 hour loads done in 9 to 9.5. I worked at it. Worked thru my lunches half the time only taking about 30 minute lunches. I ran all day long. And often, I hopped on my truck before clocking in to get a good look at my load...which I got written up for by the shop steward - and I kept doing it anyway. He threatened to fine me, but he was all talk. I was willing to kill it everyday and get paid an extra couple hours I didn't work...and the union considered me the bad guy. Most of the UPS guys today could never beat their routes like that as they got times down to a fine art. I have talked with my UPS guy and he says it is rare for anyone to beat routes....they don't get crazy overtime at christmas.

[My Man's Sportin' Wood]

As for the unions having a fund to help out.... what a joke, I have friends that worked for these stores and had trouble with bills.... the fund was earmarked for people who didn't need it but where friends with the right people....
You are mistaken. The funds are mailed out to all striking employees as long as they are working the picket lines. Some employees were unable to work the lines and they didn't get it (it wasn't much to get excited about anyway). Probably the reason your friends had trouble with their bills, it was not equal to their weekly pay.

[Baja Big Dog]

Rex, thanks for having an option for Djunkie to participate.
Perfect

[RT21]

That type of thinking that we should pay more to for people to afford to feed their families is very flawed and very socialistic. We are in a world economy that is results oriented. If you can't see the writing on the wall and work on getting new skills or ways to bring additional value, not only are your days numbered, but when you finally get the boot, you will be so far behind the curve that catching back up will be nearly impossible. Change is coming, and those that resist change, will lose, and those that embrace change will win. Is the change right or wrong? That is the question that most people don't realize does not matter....because change IS coming. We got 12 million+ illegals that are going to be given amnesty and another 25 million + will be here soon. All of the low to medium skilled jobs will be taken over by people that are happy to work for half the wage. Wrong or right....it is coming. The change is ultimately great for the world because it initiates revolutionary ideas that would not have been born had people not had to worry about change. Everywhere you look in the world you will see people thriving that embrace change and you will see people suffering and complaining where they resist change.
Anytime you have to throw out illegals in our economy to win an argument like this. You have already lost. And "world economy"? you sound just like our fearless leader GW. Look how well that is working out for the good ol US of A.

[HM]

Anytime you have to throw out illegals in our economy to win an argument like this. You have already lost. And "world economy"? you sound just like our fearless leader GW. Look how well that is working out for the good ol US of A.
I never said I was happy about it...I just said it was coming.
My personal opinion on illegals is that they should NEVER have citizenship if they came here illegally. Also, if they need to get rid of the law that allows people to be U.S. citizens just because they were born here....in order to be a citizen when you are born here, both your parents must be citizens...we are the only country that allows this...and the law was written for the slaves that were freed - not to be a loop hole for illegals to have citizens for kids.
And if you don't realize that we are in a world economy, you are just ignorant. Go ahead, put your head a little deeper in the sand and click your heels together and say there is no place like home.