There was a local grocery store that started out as union. When the workers went on strike for more pay, the store gave them an option of dropping the union or they'd close the store.

So, the workers all voted to remove the union from the store and continue working at their original wages. The store is still open and they're still employed.

 

I was there long enough to get a cup of coffee, use the facilities...and wait for load offers so I could go the right direction the first time.


Got hosed on that I tell you! issedoff:

 

No, but then again, when I was at Kroger, I wasn't a teamster. At store level, we had the UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers). Also, we never had to worry about our hours getting cut so that they could slash our benefits. Wal-Mart employees, on the other hand...

 

#5: Wal-Mart's rank, if it were a separate nation, among China's biggest export markets -- ahead of Germany and Britain

And a few other tidbits . .

$0.31: The legal hourly minimum wage in China

$0.23: Average hourly wage at 15 Chinese factories making clothing, shoes, and handbags to be sold at U.S. Wal-Mart stores, 2001

73: Average number of hours worked per week by employees at those 15 factories

42,000: Number of Wal-Mart employees in the state of Georgia in 2002

10,261: Number of children of Wal-Mart employees in Georgia who are enrolled in the state's PeachCare for Kids health insurance program, which provides medical coverage to children whose parents cannot afford it

There's plenty more at the source: Stan Cox: Wal-Mart's Magic Numbers

If you happened to watch the videos (I did), you'd know that Walmart bought 2 German companies. Their employees get above average wages, full benefits and 36 days of paid vacation per year. I'd source that but I really don't want to watch all 11 videos again. Anyway, the German workers have strong leadership, apparently.

Gman and many others think American wages and unions sunk American industry. For the five post war generations, American wages and, for a time, at least, unions, meant a two story split level home, a white picket fence, health care, college for the kids, a decent retirement and for many, all on a single income. Now, the mentality, it seems, is that if the Chicoms don't mind living in tree forts and mud huts, why should Americans mind living in tree forts and mud huts?

Now, instead of paying a decent wage to produce high quality goods and earning a respectable profit, it makes more sense to bypass the American worker, TRUCK the raw materials across country, ship them overseas, consign the entire manufacturing process to sweat shop labor, ship the finished goods back over here, TRUCK them to the stores and make an enormous profit for the shareholders. Do you honestly believe that there is value in taking the American worker out of the loop? They're spending humongous dollars on shipping to save you pennies at the register? Think again. And before you go jumping for joy about all that high paying freight, the Chicom shipping companies are getting the lion's share of the dollars. You can't see where it might be better for all Americans to cut the Chicoms out of the loop?

Let me give it to you straight. Big business is buying your leadership and your leadership is selling you down the river. Understood? In the meantime, you're willingly surrendering your liberties, YOU have a houseful of worthless, third rate crap and YOU owe the Chicoms 3 trillion bucks.

"It would not bode well for the administration if Walmart cut back too much on their purchases from China . . " God forbid we should do anything to upset the administration. What about if it's good for the country? Can we get you onboard if it's for the good of the country? My country . . 'tis of thee? Sweet land of Liberty?

The Port of Oakland drayage Driver's were set to go on strike today but either the city or the state or the port authority or whomever gave them an extension while they sort out funding for the new clean air contraptions. We all know to some degree a lttle of what's happening in LA/Long Beach. All I can ask is for the first guy to go on strike, would you please block me in, too? Oh, wait! Interfering with an interstate shipment . . even as an act of protest or a labor dispute . . is now an act of terrorism; hence a no bail, Federal crime, of course. That's our leadership. And to Gman et al, at least, that makes sense.

 

I have a coworker who is related to Wal-Mart employees who tells me that unionizing is a constant topic of conversation . . but NEVER at work. It's pretty evident from the videos that it goes on quite a bit. I am told there is a strong, well financed outside organization helping to design a new, non-affiliated (no Teamster, SEIU, etc) collective bargaining unit (they don't use the "U" word) at the DC level. If that's true and it takes off, it will be interesting to see if the other unions support the effort while being left out of the deal. I reckon we'd see their true colors.

Do I think it could happen? I think Wal-Mart is becoming it's own worst enemy. They're a darling of the demon Wall Street and their financials are open for all to see. They're so big, it's only natural that they have to attract attention to themselves which, in turn, invites closer scrutiny of them. Americans have a lot of recent experience with "Too big to . . " They are a fabulously wealthy company at a time when a whole bunch of folks are hurting. Look around. Remember when every community had a "biggest employer in town" that actually produced something? Remember how any commotion "down at the plant" would cause a ruckus and make front page news? Well, today, "the plant" is likely a Wal-Mart and that huge, shuttered, decaying old building in the rundown end of town is a haunting reminder of the thousands of businesses forced out and the millions of people sent on to the dole by the Wal-Mart/Gman/Pelosi/Obama global government business doctrine of higher taxes, more welfare, fewer jobs and lower wages makes for a stronger U. S. A.!

Individual stores have their ups and downs but I'd bet DC traffic is pretty consistent and, more likely, growing. That might make it a little harder for Wal-Mart to argue that a few extra sheckles for the crew is going to kill the company. If the right group of well coached employees used a precisely coordinated, well reasoned and very positive and public approach, sort of out Wal-Mart the Waltons, so to speak, I don't see how Wal-Mart could fight it and come out looking good. But you know they'll fight. The employees would have to have a blood bond with one another, though, as in, if one goes = we all go. As unlikely as that sounds in today's job environment, I don't think it's any less likely that Wal-Mart could get away easily with firing a bunch of people instead of bargaining. But, Wal-Mart once closed a store in Canada rather than submit to bargaining. At the rate they're building DCs, they could probably manage to mothball a few, if necessary. Beyond that, would a community then continue to support them?

 

I am not sure how you group me with the liberals. If these people want to strike or don't want to work for the wages offered, then they can stay home or find other employment. There are a number of things which are classified as terrorist acts or hate crimes which should not be classified as such. There is a lot more freight that pays better than hauling cans.

 

I think that the way Walmart has been doing business is anti American. They go into smaller communities and virtually kill many small businesses. The pharmacy, tire store and retailers are often devastated when Walmart moves into their town. Their size allows them to dangle big tax dollars to politicians who are starving for more tax revenue. They only see the short term gain. They have no idea of the long term devastation. Most of the better paying jobs of yesteryear are related to manufacturing. Walmart has often gone in to areas where they want to move and had local politicians to use the eminent domain laws to steal land from private property owners. I am no fan of Walmart. I rarely shop with them. Walmart got big because American consumers made them that way. If consumers refused to shop with them they would not exist.

 

This flick reinforces my take on the problem. I don't agree with, in fact I am offended by the proposed solution. But the problem isn't going to go away by itself and it does beg a solution. Download and play or stream this flick at bed time and see if you can fall asleep before it's over . .

Zeitgeist - The Movie

 

The issue in Oakland is the same as it is in Long Beach: the $20k+ exhaust regurgitator required as of Monday on all trucks that enter the port. It's got nothing to do with wages in and of themselves.

Where wages are concerned, I lump you with the liberals because you have stated repeatedly, like you did here, that you believe government can manage welfare "wages" a lot more effectively than private enterprise can manage a respectable wage.

 

I don't see how these owners can afford to buy fuel, much less $20,000 to retrofit their trucks. When did I ever say that the government can manage anything? I have always said the opposite. I think that it is obvious that the government is incapable of managing anything. All you need do is look at this last year. They do know how to rob the American taxpayer and reward themselves for their incompetence and inefficiency.