http://www.bastardpowered.com/strike.htm

Crossing the Picket Line

The other day I was going to the grocery store to get some food. Mostly, I get meat. Steaks, tri-tip, hamburger, chicken and veal are my staples. I really like getting veal because it makes the PETA people whine like the *****es that they are. Sometimes, I even go in my mink lined leather jacket.

Anyhow, there was a picket line in front of the market. The employees were striking because the market is going to cut their health benefits. Essentially, the grocery chains are trying to stay competitive with companies like Costco and WalMart and all of the other bargain (non-unionized) stores, and they can't do that if they continue to pay as much of the insurance. It's called cost cutting to keep their prices low so that they aren't driven out of business.

Not one to make snap judgments, I did some research. I found that the average supermarket employee gets paid $15.00 per hour to drag an item across a window that tells them what the price is. They don't have to do any brain work other than counting the money that they return to the patron. The toughest part of this job is listening for the "beep" when they drag the item across the glass. A retarded monkey with cerebral palsy and a club foot could do this job. Yeah, I know, some people have to stock the shelves and pack bags. Are you going to tell me that a monkey couldn't do that?

OK, so they are already overpaid for the brainless job that they do. We can all agree on that. But, on top of a ridiculously high hourly wage they get insurance benefits. Sounds like a dream job to me - even if they have to pay a bit more for their insurance than they were before. You know, most folks with that skill level are lucky to get paid minimum wage, let alone get insurance through their company.

So, after being overpaid AND insured, these mooks have the gall to ask me to shop somewhere else? Let me get this straight...you want me to get back into my car and drive a further distance (costing me money) to shop at another store? Inconvenience myself because you, an overpaid monkey, don't think that you are getting enough from your company? Are you stupid? Not only will I not shop somewhere else, but I will take great glee in shopping while you watch. Hell, I might even make extra trips to the market just to spite you.

I have a question for you grocery store employees who are on strike. Since, you have no real skills, other that dragging something across a window or stocking shelves, what will you do if the grocery stores can't compete with the non-unionized discount stores? Have you thought that far ahead? Of course not. You are too busy thinking of the immediate moment and not the future that lies ahead of you.

And, as for those people who are in blind support of the strike; Have you thought about how this will impact you? Have you thought about the extra money that it will cost us all by supporting this strike?

To illustrate; You are driving out of your way to shop somewhere else, which costs you money in gasoline and wear and tear on your car. On top of that you are shopping at stores with long lines and ****ty service. So, the strikers are costing you time and money and shortening the life of your vehicle.

When there is an increased demand for gasoline the price-per gallon of gasoline goes up and the supply goes down. So, you have to pay for more gasoline at a higher price.

Then, if they get their way, the cost of supermarket operations will go up, because the cost of their employees health care will go up. Then, to make up for the loss of profits, they will raise the costs of their products. So, you will have to pay even more money if the strike is successful. This, essentially, means that you are earning less because you have to pay more to live. This will drive people to shop at the larger discount chains, where they can get a better deal for their dollar.

Then, when the supermarket chains can't compete against the big discount chains, they will go out of business, flooding the market with unemployed talking monkeys with no high school diploma or skills. These people will collect unemployment and welfare, which comes right out of our pockets via taxes.

Now, the few who will get jobs will be working for minimum wage and no health insurance. Where will these folks get their health care coverage from? You guessed it - from the government, sucking out even more money from the government.

Then, the government will be forced to raise taxes to pay for the health care of these people, lowering your income and mine, even more.

Way to go!

--
There are people out there working minimum wage jobs that require more effort than these people.

I pay a sizable amount for my healthcare out here and I got a university degree and a job that requires one. So how come despite working harder, studying harder, winding up in debt for my education and for aspiring for a career in something greater than a grocery clerk I get PENALISED for that? And really given the fact I came from Australia and my education cost less, I'm LUCKIER than the average American who is getting seriously ****ED by these grocery workers.

What about people who got their degrees, certifications, commendations, years of experience to get the job they have now just to earn their benefits.

I've yet to see how it works out here fully but in Australia, this is the job that 15 year olds get whilst they're still finishing high school or if they drop out of high school. It's very rarely a career of choice if you know what I mean.

I know one guy who did this and didn't do well in school because he was too busy working and he's been lucky enough to make a successful career as a manager out of it. He'll prolly be a VP or CEO of Coles Meyer in 10 years if he's lucky. But people like this are the exception to the norm.

Why the **** should these people not have to pay for their benefits when people who work a hell of a lot harder than they do have to.

You know what I say to these grocery workers? **** 'EM.

And you know what I say to these people who support their ****ty strike? **** YOU FOR YOUR NARROW SIGHTEDNESS.

- J.

Curly, if I have this wrong or incomplete details, please explain. I've yet to hear anyone from the grocery chains present a clearly coherent argument why they deserve these benefits whilst everyone else pays.

- J.

I got friends and Know a lot of people that work at Ralphs(i use to work there)...what they trying to do is ****ed up and I support it...

Originally posted by The Ensanity
I got friends and Know a lot of people that work at Ralphs(i use to work there)...what they trying to do is ****ed up and I support it...

Ok you support it. Good on ya.

WHY?

I mean explain details. What is Ralphs doing that is so horrendously ****ed?

- J.

Let me paint a simple picture:

Businesses reserve right to chop/change benefits as they see fit. It's in the contract each employee signs.

Business reviews the way it does business and in order to remain afloat several changes must be made.

Overpaid workers have their benefits changed to match those of every other part time/casual and most full time workers around the country.

Overpaid workers whine and complaint and go on strike.

Strike costs consumers who effectively pay their salary.

Business is forced to meet overpaid workers demands.

Business must reevaluate business model.

Business must either make cuts elsewhere (e.g. reduce staff size) or increase prices.

Consumers continue to either a) pay over inflated prices, b) reduced quality of service or c) choose to shop elsewhere.

Loss in customers force business to either keep making cuts in areas in order to remain competitive. Worst case scenario, prices rise.

Loss in quality of service and lack of competitive prices force business to close.

Business closing = lots of unskilled workers on unemployment.

Now can someone please explain to me how this summary, whilst simplified, is not accurate?

-J.

Originally posted by The Jake
Ok you support it. Good on ya.

WHY?

I mean explain details. What is Ralphs doing that is so horrendously ****ed?

- J. cutting more than 60% of the pension...I know a lot of people that were about to retired and now are going to lose alot of money for greed.


To take EVERYTHING at once is ****ed...no matter what.

I almost ran over a striker once. He tried to get in the way of my truck out by the power plant where the Saskpower workers were striking. I would kill 100 people to make what they do. ****ing summer students get $30/h. Anyway he got out of the way when he realized I wasn't stopping.

But I'm not gonna touch this topic. Just thought I would add my story. I'm anti-union, anti-striking, anti-owner, anti-everything so everyone is wrong except me.

Originally posted by The Ensanity
cutting more than 60% of the pension...I know a lot of people that were about to retired and now are going to lose alot of money for greed.


To take EVERYTHING at once is ****ed...no matter what.

Ok that's pretty ****ed.

What were the reasons given?

Was this to all employees or only a certain bracket?

I'm just interested in knowing what reasons, if any where given.

Making them pay for benefits I understand and support.

How are they cutting penion? Are you talking a 401k?

The reason I support the business is that at a glance sometimes you have to severe the foot in order to save the leg if you know what I mean.

- J.

Unions work and are cool except when they get too powerful.

Dockworker unions are a good example.

- J.

the 401k i think...to all workers


thats the main thing the workers are pissed at...I dont know much on the details, but its a ****ed thing.

Originally posted by The Ensanity
the 401k i think...to all workers


thats the main thing the workers are pissed at...I dont know much on the details, but its a ****ed thing.

I thought the money goes to independent fund managers and once that happens, the employer can't touch it.

Or are they withholding the contributions or something?

Something just doesn't sound right.

- J.

Originally posted by The Jake
Let me paint a simple picture:

Businesses reserve right to chop/change benefits as they see fit. It's in the contract each employee signs.

Business reviews the way it does business and in order to remain afloat several changes must be made.

Overpaid workers have their benefits changed to match those of every other part time/casual and most full time workers around the country.

Overpaid workers whine and complaint and go on strike.

Strike costs consumers who effectively pay their salary.

Business is forced to meet overpaid workers demands.

Business must reevaluate business model.

Business must either make cuts elsewhere (e.g. reduce staff size) or increase prices.

Consumers continue to either a) pay over inflated prices, b) reduced quality of service or c) choose to shop elsewhere.

Loss in customers force business to either keep making cuts in areas in order to remain competitive. Worst case scenario, prices rise.

Loss in quality of service and lack of competitive prices force business to close.

Business closing = lots of unskilled workers on unemployment.

Now can someone please explain to me how this summary, whilst simplified, is not accurate?

-J.


I will.
Without salespeople, the business will not sell alot. (which means a huge decrease in profit.)

You are probably familiar with the saying"customers are always first". Many years ago, many businesses were dealt with a huge blow. It is your staff that is first and keeping them happy means more profit( a happy customer will continue to come back to the same business, since the employees are happy and take pride in their products,*


but if your employees are non condusive to the business, then the shouldnt be there). Alot of people still believe in the old saying " customers are always first". But the most successful businesses treat their employees as first.

Whether it be medical benefits for the employee and their family, to a retirement plan, it was given to them by the company for their hard work and making thier business profitable.

Example : There are many forums out there. (like grocery stores). If you (customer) have a bad experience with the staff, you take your business elsewhere. Simple. Who loses? the business.


Keeping the right employees who take pride in their work, deserve what they are getting paid, whether it is a grocery store or a computer company.

Of course if a union is involved, then dont blame the employees.

Originally posted by kcfman
I will.
Without salespeople, the business will not sell alot. (which means a huge decrease in profit.)

You are probably familiar with the saying"customers are always first". Many years ago, many businesses were dealt with a huge blow. It is your staff that is first and keeping them happy means more profit( a happy customer will continue to come back to the same business, since the employees are happy and take pride in their products,*


but if your employees are non condusive to the business, then the shouldnt be there). Alot of people still believe in the old saying " customers are always first". But the most successful businesses treat their employees as first.

Whether it be medical benefits for the employee and their family, to a retirement plan, it was given to them by the company for their hard work and making thier business profitable.

Example : There are many forums out there. (like grocery stores). If you (customer) have a bad experience with the staff, you take your business elsewhere. Simple. Who loses? the business.


Keeping the right employees who take pride in their work, deserve what they are getting paid, whether it is a grocery store or a computer company.

Of course if a union is involved, then dont blame the employees.

I agree with your argument there but I'm just trying to understand the otherside of the argument. Most grocery workers I've heard discuss this subject aren't exactly eloquent or articulate. Cutting down on pension is ****ed. Making employees unhappy does harm the business.

I'm just trying to understand the big picture, all I heard in the time this whole strike was going on was the cut in the medical that they have to pay like everyone else and talk of a paycut (which wasn't substantiated).

- J.

not gonna read all this but all i gotta say is

DUN DUN DUN BANNED!

I hear you. If the strike is about medical benefits(family), you are looking at 600 plus dollars a month. That will take a huge chunk out of the employees gross income and thus their net income. Many would have to quit for a better job or take a second or third job just to make ends meet.
Many of the employees that work at a grocery store, dont have a family to support, but alot do have family and medical insurance is a huge factor in why they work there.

Originally posted by VulgarTheClown
not gonna read all this but all i gotta say is

DUN DUN DUN BANNED!

huh?

Originally posted by kcfman
I hear you. If the strike is about medical benefits(family), you are looking at 600 plus dollars a month. That will take a huge chunk out of the employees gross income and thus their net income. Many would have to quit for a better job or take a second or third job just to make ends meet.

Let's be realistic here on the benefits front.

They've been on a gravy train for ****ing ages.

The bulk of these staff do not work full time and yet have benefits that exceeds other casual/part time workers.

They are also working in, what is strictly speaking, an unskilled worker category. It's not like they had to go to university or receive higher education or extensive training to do what they do.

Yet they're receiving benefits which are BETTER than people who went on to further educate themselves. People who chose education, at their own personal expense, to receive better benefits and a better job.

They also make double to triple what the average person makes working a cafe, a retail store or just about any other job (which in itself I find criminal) who work just as hard and in some cases harder.

Now if someone can tell me how they justify:
a) an already exorbitant wage
b) benefits that beat what a lot of college graduates earn

All for a job that does not require additional skill beyond unpacking a box and swiping items over a line and the basic ability to add and subject and ideally read and speak english (even speaking English is entirely optional these days) then I will be bow before you awesome debating skills.

Furthermore, all employee contracts usually stipulate the employer has the right to chop and change benefits as they see fit.

If you don't like it, find another job. I don't think I'm paid adequately for my work (given I'm over educated compared to most of my coworkers, and in many respects equally skilled at least in many areas) and whilst I like my benefits, damn right I think I deserve better overall and its **** like that forces me to look elsewhere. It's called AMBITION and it forces us to set higher targets for ourselves and strive to achieve them. Some have it, some don't. These ****ers, simply put, don't.

I'm sorry but I have very little sympathy for people who chose to work half as hard as everyone else, get it easier than everyone else and then cry about it when the playing field is leveled.

My sympathy is reserved for the people facing retirement with huge cuts in retirement packages. Not for Joe Blow, age 19, crying because his job is now **** because he didn't choose to study harder or pick a tougher career path.


Many of the employees that work at a grocery store, dont have a family to support, but alot do have family and medical insurance is a huge factor in why they work there.

Yeah I wish I only aspired to work in a grocery store to score mad benefits but alas, I chose to study and work in a skilled area. Same goes for a lot of hard working Americans who are getting ****ed on this because one group feels they deserve more than everyone else.

This isn't a group of people fighting to have the same rights as everyone else, this is a group of people clinging to a privelage they've held onto for far too long.

- J.

Originally posted by VulgarTheClown
not gonna read all this but all i gotta say is

DUN DUN DUN BANNED!

Jesus Christ you are a retard Vulgar. For someone that bumps a thread on death penalty to exercise the brain and then to turn around and make posts like that, just highlights your capacity to make intelligent posts.

That is to say, nill.

- J.

Cage?

Originally posted by The Jake
Let's be realistic here on the benefits front.

They've been on a gravy train for ****ing ages.

The bulk of these staff do not work full time and yet have benefits that exceeds other casual/part time workers.

They are also working in, what is strictly speaking, an unskilled worker category. It's not like they had to go to university or receive higher education or extensive training to do what they do.

Yet they're receiving benefits which are BETTER than people who went on to further educate themselves. People who chose education, at their own personal expense, to receive better benefits and a better job.

They also make double to triple what the average person makes working a cafe, a retail store or just about any other job (which in itself I find criminal) who work just as hard and in some cases harder.

Now if someone can tell me how they justify:
a) an already exorbitant wage
b) benefits that beat what a lot of college graduates earn

All for a job that does not require additional skill beyond unpacking a box and swiping items over a line and the basic ability to add and subject and ideally read and speak english (even speaking English is entirely optional these days) then I will be bow before you awesome debating skills.

Furthermore, all employee contracts usually stipulate the employer has the right to chop and change benefits as they see fit.

If you don't like it, find another job. I don't think I'm paid adequately for my work (given I'm over educated compared to most of my coworkers, and in many respects equally skilled at least in many areas) and whilst I like my benefits, damn right I think I deserve better overall and its **** like that forces me to look elsewhere. It's called AMBITION and it forces us to set higher targets for ourselves and strive to achieve them. Some have it, some don't. These ****ers, simply put, don't.

I'm sorry but I have very little sympathy for people who chose to work half as hard as everyone else, get it easier than everyone else and then cry about it when the playing field is leveled.

My sympathy is reserved for the people facing retirement with huge cuts in retirement packages. Not for Joe Blow, age 19, crying because his job is now **** because he didn't choose to study harder or pick a tougher career path.

[B]

Yeah I wish I only aspired to work in a grocery store to score mad benefits but alas, I chose to study and work in a skilled area. Same goes for a lot of hard working Americans who are getting ****ed on this because one group feels they deserve more than everyone else.

This isn't a group of people fighting to have the same rights as everyone else, this is a group of people clinging to a privelage they've held onto for far too long.

- J.

hahahaha! You can have all the degrees you want, but you gotta realize if you arent the top dog (making profits for the company) you are expendible.

However, everyone needs to eat food, wipe their ass with toilet paper, etc. (at least where I have lived), thus grocery stores are a staple in everyday life.

You chose computer tech for what you do. Computers is a want and not a need. (at least not a need yet).

Do the grocery store employees deserve what they get? I dont know but if they do get alot, then good for them!

Originally posted by kcfman
hahahaha! You can have all the degrees you want, but you gotta realize if you arent the top dog (making profits for the company) you are expendible.

That's exactly my point. Thank you.
What makes these people think they aren't expendible?

What makes these people think they're occupation is so crash hot that they deserve more than others?


However, everyone needs to eat food, wipe their ass with toilet paper, etc. (at least where I have lived), thus grocery stores are a staple in everyday life.

Yeah and they should be paid a fair and equitable wage for what they do.

Let's be honest here, minimum wage out here is a joke. Everyone I know that works minimum wage needs at least a second job to survive. Yet these ****ers don't.

I'm not saying that their pay should go down necessarily either. But I would say their pay and benefits should be about the same as someone that works at a retail store, unless they have been there for a certain amount of time and/or have managerial experience.

If someone has worked up to an Assistant Manager or Store Manager position after a number of years of service that's certainly more laudable than someone who is on the registers demanding a better deal.

I should also point out that I still saw the store managers who had been at Ralph's for 20+ years inside and working when the strike was at it's peak as well.


You chose computer tech for what you do. Computers is a want and not a need. (at least not a need yet).

I made my choice and I'm happy with it. If I get ****ed or my situation changes, I do what I can to improve it. Whether it's additional certification, an MBA, whatever. I keep trying to better myself.

I don't whine about how unfair my situation is and expect preferential treatment however.


Do the grocery store employees deserve what they get? I dont know but if they do get alot, then good for them!

Fine. But to expect me to support their cause for preferential treatment is ****ed up, especially when they haven't even clearly articulated all the facts.

- J.

If you saw two guys named Hambone and Flippy, which one would you think liked dolphins the most? I'd say Flippy, wouldn't you? You'd be wrong, though. It's Hambone....

well we all know my take on this.

in regards to unions, i don't like em. they may have served their purpose back in the ol' child labor days but now i just think they're washed up.
george brings up a good point that they help out workers during unemployment so that IS a plus. but i don't think it outweighs all of the childish tactics that they use to get their way- tactics that create more of an overall nuisance for everyone.

i don't by that "sticking up for the working man" bull**** either. in this society, you get paid when you work. if you don't work then you shouldn't get paid. a working man doens't picket when things aren't fair

15 an hour? not where I live and my area is one of the most expensive places to live in the US.

im 50/50 for Unions. I believe that as an individual you are ****ing microscopic to most companies. when a problem is to be contested your union would take it up for you instead of a long drawn out and costly incident.

what I dont like is Unions muscling out independant contractors for jobs adn totally dominating certain areas (i.e. you cannot work on the docks of New York without joining a Union.)

like anything I see ups and downs. The right to protest is constitutional and downsizing your company cost by cutting benefits is ****ing low.

orderlay way

Originally posted by Aaron Bizarre
The right to protest is constitutional and downsizing your company cost by cutting benefits is ****ing low.

Downsizing is a necessary evil.

If they didn't, the entire company could go bust then everyone loses their jobs. I don't like it, I've seen more than my share of employment problems as a result of downsizing, mergers and buyouts, but I undersand the economics behind it.

- J.

it is a necessary evil but was that the companies last resort? id rather cut staff then benefits.

Originally posted by Aaron Bizarre
it is a necessary evil but was that the companies last resort? id rather cut staff then benefits.

Benefits in America cost a company A LOT. If an employee is not paying for some of them, then damn right it makes sense to have them pay like everyone else.

Cutting pension is ****ed up - I don't understand how that works exactly.

But the way these companies have it, it'd be a lose lose situation. If they cut benefits then the unions strike.
If they cut pay then the unions strike.
If they downsize then the unions would strike.

These people are serial whiners and would fight tooth and nail to get their way all the time. Everyone else and consequences be damned.

- J.

EVER since i witnessed those protests in australia when jarrod and i worked at Pacific Internet ive lost all respect for ****ers who protest.

Those people we saw were ****ing animals man. I got no problem with protest. Just those ****ers that are professional protestors/agitators and deliberately try to stir **** up. They need a severe beating.

- J.