Safeway CEO stands firm (SoCal grocery strike)

CONTRA COSTA TIMES ^ | 10/17/2003 | Janet Adamy

[Snerfling]

Safeway's chief executive said Thursday that striking Southern California grocery workers won't get a better contract offer as the Pleasanton grocer reported another quarter of lackluster sales.

The nation's third-largest supermarket chain said it is willing to take a temporary hit at its 289 Vons stores -- where picketers are turning customers away -- in exchange for cheaper labor costs in the long run.

[Snerfling]

I've gone there almost every day. Since there's so many other shops in the center, no one knows who's car is which shopper.

[been_lurking]

if a picketer hurt a shopper - Hoo Boy! law-suit city for the union worker. . . .

Or better yet, sue the union itself as the responsible management entity with oversight of the striker. That would do much more to end the "aggressive" nature of these strikes.

[Snerfling]

They're not strikers. They are locked out

That's the great thing about this dispute. Originally, the union was only going to strike Vons, but Albertson's and Ralphs held together and locked-out their workers as well. I consider it a strike if they parade around out front with their signs.

BTW, the union is suing over the lockout claiming it violates the Calif advance layoff notice requirement. I'm not sure who is more stupid - the workers or union bosses.

If they can break the union, the bosses will have to go out and get a real job. With Doofus out, there aren't any sweet 'labor commission' positions available anymore either.

Cool.

[merry10]

Yeah I don't care about the semantics either. I crossed the line on Wed and will do it again. I decided I pay for health insurance and they can too.

[Solson]

Brilliant plan. Food4Less is a Kroger owned banner (they also own Ralphs) and operates with non-union employees. So, despite your best wishes you are still supporting the parent company.

But, hey, you're a smart consumer...keep it up!

[Smogger]

I already stated that Food4Less was owned by Ralphs/Kroeger or can't you read? I could give a sh*t about the parent company.

[Solson]

The unions won't win this fight. Two weeks or more of striking the unions start to go broke. Grocers, in these strikes across the country are determined to hold the line. Meanwhile, they've hired well over 10,000 temporary employees and IF the strike ends...expect many of these banners to shutter for 60 days and then re-open as non-union shops.

[Solson]

The union isn't suing because of the lockout. The union is suing over the announcement by Albertson's to layoff, initially, 2000 employees. There will be more.

But, the unions will lose this battle in a big big way. The grocers have no choice but to hold the line. They give in, they lose big time. I expect this strike to last quite a long time. The grocers are hiring temp workers by the thousands and more are always waiting...

[Solson]

I'm just glad you're ignorant. Do you really think you're helping the union here? LOL!

[Smogger]

I didn't think I was helping the union, but I don't have any sympathy for the grocer's either. Maybe if you live in the City of Los Angeles and Vons or Pavillions is the only game in town, but where I live there are dozens of different grocery chains so it's no sweat of my balls not to cross the picket lines.

[showme_the_Glory]

expect many of these banners to shutter for 60 days and then re-open as non-union shops.

I'm not a gambler, but if I was, I would bet they'll give in to the brotherhood once again, as always. The shareholders don't like strikes and are quick to call for settlements.

[showme_the_Glory]

The grocers are hiring temp workers by the thousands and more are always waiting...

The grocers are locked out employees from other chains by the thousands and more are always waiting...

[Solson]

The shareholders also realize the cost of health care has doubled in the last nine months and continuing to go forward with union contracts like this will kill any and all profitability. Then, those shareholders sell and buy other stocks.

I'm not a gambler either but I understand quite well the situation here. Grocers have expected and been planning for these strikes for the past 4 months. They do not expect a quick resolution but hope for one.

[Solson]

The grocers are locked out employees from other chains by the thousands and more are always waiting...

huh?

[Joe Hadenuf]

But, the unions will lose this battle in a big big way. The grocers have no choice but to hold the line. They give in, they lose big time. I expect this strike to last quite a long time.

I agree. It will be a lose lose, and in the end, the employees will be the biggest losers. The unions will eventually fold and the companies will pay the lowest wages possible with no benefits....

It's a lose lose for everyone. But in the end the companies will win and get what they want. The standard of living, wages, benefits continue to decline, and this is just another *clear* indicator of this decline..

[Solson]

gimme a break. The companies will continue to pay benefits...just not 100%...and they shouldn't be expected to do so.

That's the reality not of mean greedy businessmen and women but the rising cost of US healthcare. End free healthcare in the US and bring torte reform and insurance reform to the industry and the costs can come back down.

"In the end", people have a choice about the companies they work for. If they don't like it, they can always go somewhere better or start their own company.

[showme_the_Glory]

The grocers are locked out employees from other chains by the thousands and more are always waiting...
huh?
Sorry. Proof twice, post once.

The grocers are hiring locked out employees from other chains by the thousands and more are always waiting...
huh?

---

[Joe Hadenuf]

gimme a break. The companies will continue to pay benefits...just not 100%...and they shouldn't be expected to do so.

Oh come on. You know as well as I, when they break these unions they will continue to get what they want.

Once the companies beat this, they will go for more and continue to reduce benefits and wages. Bet the rent...

There in business to make money, not lose money....

[Solson]

...and you can't make money without employees willing to work for you...especially in grocery.

If it was possible it would already be taking place across the country with a fury.

[Smogger]

bring torte reform and insurance reform to the industry and the costs can come back down.

I agree with this. Fraud, waste, and spiraling administrative costs are the culprit here. I don't have any qualms breaking perscription drug monopolies either.

I work for a small company (where my employer pays 100% of healthcare costs for employers not their families) and our controller was telling me that premiums rose about 30% on average last year. Ridiculous. Who the Hell is going to the doctore all the damn time anyhow? I never go.

30% annual inflation on healthcare costs here in California and we are going to see this battle played out over and over no matter what concessions both sides make.