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Nut strike cracks after 13 years
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4374657.stm ^ | 3-23-05

Posted on 03/23/2005 7:53:34 AM PST by TXBSAFH

Nut strike cracks after 13 years

The dispute proved a tough nut to crack Striking workers at a walnut processing plant in California have voted to bring their 13-year walkout to an end. The 600 members of the Teamsters Local 601 union went on strike at the Diamond of California plant in September 1991 in a dispute over pay.

They have now finally ratified a new five-year contract, clearing the way for their return to work.

However, most of the workers have now found jobs elsewhere, and the union admits they are unlikely to return.

Nobody ever thought it would take this long

Lucio Reyes, union secretary-treasurer

The company has also filled most of their old positions, or replaced them with automated processes.

However, each striking member of staff is now being given 10 days to respond to letters inquiring if they want to return to the world's largest walnut processing plant.

"I think it was worth it in that we did accomplish something," said the union.

'Feeling good'

"Nobody ever thought it would take this long," said Lucio Reyes, the union's secretary-treasurer.

"The company didn't expect it, we didn't expect it. Both parties now realize we have to work together.

"Everyone should be feeling good about this."

The 1991 walkout had its origins back in 1985 when staff at the Diamond plant in Stockton agreed to a 30% reduction in wages during tough times for the company.

Both the union and the workers expected staff to be repaid as the company's finances improved, but in 1991 they were offered just a 10 cents-an-hour raise, and a bonus package.

This sparked the more than 13-year walkout.

Back in 2000, the head of the Teamsters union, James Hoffa, equated the striking walnut workers to the heroes of John Steinbeck's classic Depression-period workers' rights novel The Grapes of Wrath.

"The workers at Stockton's Diamond plant, they are the ones who stood up," said Mr Hoffa.


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: nuts; strike; unions
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To: TXBSAFH

This is something out of a seinfield episode. Kramer returns to the begal shop after a 10 year strike.

I bet the union reps are SO proud. They had a job for the last 13 years... doing nothing.


21 posted on 03/23/2005 8:04:51 AM PST by KansasConservative1
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To: Hildy; gruffwolf

22 posted on 03/23/2005 8:05:44 AM PST by KidGlock (Get in the pit and try to love some one)
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To: Publius6961

Diamond should have told the union what General McAuliffe told the Germans, "Nuts!"


23 posted on 03/23/2005 8:05:53 AM PST by dfwgator (It's sad that the news media treats Michael Jackson better than our military.)
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To: Tacis

I was thinking the same thing... who is writing the check for this nonsense? My horrible thought is that if any of the original workers go back to work there, they will owe 13 years of back dues. Geesshh..


24 posted on 03/23/2005 8:06:22 AM PST by Cate
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To: Hildy
Like Kramer and the Bagel Store!

Or Squidward and Spongebob striking against Mr. Krabs FOREVER!!!!

25 posted on 03/23/2005 8:06:34 AM PST by Maceman (Too nuanced for a bumper sticker)
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To: Borges

For the Union lawyers to cave, the money must have run out.


26 posted on 03/23/2005 8:06:47 AM PST by D Rider
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To: Polyxene
How many people do you know who would sit on a picket line for 13 years???!!!

I'm sure plenty of French do.

27 posted on 03/23/2005 8:06:47 AM PST by dfwgator (It's sad that the news media treats Michael Jackson better than our military.)
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To: Hildy

Kramer only had to wait 12 years and minimum wage rates brought him back....pretty close to the walnetto workers!


28 posted on 03/23/2005 8:07:32 AM PST by Energizer45678
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To: TXBSAFH
"The workers at Stockton's Diamond plant, they are the ones who stood up," said Mr Hoffa.

Another improvement to the labor movement was Jimmy's involuntary contribution to be part of Michigan's roadway system by laying down and replacing a body size chunk of concrete.

29 posted on 03/23/2005 8:07:39 AM PST by hgro
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To: Energizer45678

I love that show!


30 posted on 03/23/2005 8:09:29 AM PST by Hildy
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Comment #31 Removed by Moderator

To: dfwgator

LOL!


32 posted on 03/23/2005 8:11:43 AM PST by Polyxene (For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel - Martin Luther)
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To: Hildy

Amazingly that very episode was on our local channel last night!


33 posted on 03/23/2005 8:12:48 AM PST by Energizer45678
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To: TXBSAFH
Union insanity (and irrelevance) alert!
34 posted on 03/23/2005 8:13:15 AM PST by TheBattman (Islam (and liberals)- the cult of Satan)
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To: Cactuspete

That's an awesome story, I commend you for sticking up for the company and making the tough decisions.


35 posted on 03/23/2005 8:21:24 AM PST by RushCrush (Hitler was a gun-banning, abortion-supporting, business-regulating, Christmas-hating, vegetarian.)
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To: reagan_fanatic

"...cashew nut, walnut, pistachio nut, macadamia nut... that's a funny nut."

.


36 posted on 03/23/2005 8:22:32 AM PST by itsamelman (“Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh.” -- Al Swearengen)
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To: TXBSAFH
However, most of the workers have now found jobs elsewhere, and the union admits they are unlikely to return.

Nobody ever thought it would take this long

The company has also filled most of their old positions, or replaced them with automated processes.

Good Strike, everybody! Well done! The union treasury thanks you for your time.

37 posted on 03/23/2005 8:32:36 AM PST by hattend (Liberals! Beware the Perfect Rovian Storm [All Hail the Evil War Monkey King, Chimpus Khan!])
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To: TXBSAFH
"I think it was worth it in that we did accomplish something," said the union.

Yeah. They accomplished 13 years of lost wages.

38 posted on 03/23/2005 8:33:26 AM PST by CaptRon (Pedecaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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"I think it was worth it in that we did accomplish something," said the union.

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA!

39 posted on 03/23/2005 8:39:25 AM PST by balrog666 (A myth by any other name is still inane.)
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To: TXBSAFH

I guess Kramer can go back to work.


40 posted on 03/23/2005 8:50:26 AM PST by gdzla
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