I voted “special snowflake” only because I’ve been on the company’s side of bargaining teams, one involving a strike, and I obviously still had to work - lol. But aside from that - no, I don’t cross picket lines and switched to shopping at Safeway.
Post by lavender444 on Jan 13, 2022 10:40:15 GMT -5
I've never been in a position to cross a line before, but this strike hits at difficult time where I can't say with certainty I won't. I live in a blackhole when it comes to grocery stores with King Soopers having the monopoly on the market. Depending on how long the strike lasts, eventually we will need food and its not always possible to drive an hour to go to another grocery store. I'm hopeful the Kroger and the Unions comes to an amicable agreement and I don't have to make any decisions to cross a line.
Do the people who answered “Special Snowflake/depends on the industry” realize this is just a longer way of saying “Yes.”
I clicked SS because I have crossed a physical picket line, to get my child into the hospital for urgent medical treatment. I normally make a effort to never cross picket lines or shop at stores with strikes. If I hadn’t encountered this hospital situation I would have easily considered myself to be in the “no” camp.
Post by Patsy Baloney on Jan 13, 2022 11:08:09 GMT -5
We had kind of a strange situation where a different union at the place where I worked went on strike. Our union was not involved and encouraged us to keep attending work as normal but use all break time to join the picket line and support them.
That's about the only special snowflake decision I've made.
Never. I was a member of 2 different unions in two different stores I worked in and I was an hour away from a strike when an agreement was reached. I wasn't a shop steward for that one, but a shop representative and I cried when I raised my hand knowing what the loss of wages would mean to my friends and coworkers even though every one of them told me to vote strike.bWhen people are willing to go without for a while in order to get fair wages and benefits in the end, they need support.
I’m a lifetime King Soopers shopper, it has always been my parents main store too. My mom’s dad was a union guy, and they based a lot of their decisions on whether stores were pro-union, but I’m not sure my parents felt the same. I remember going to the store at least once in 96, I was a young adult at the time, and less savvy about these things. I won’t cross the line this time.
One interesting thought from a local FB group was that not crossing a picket line is a privileged position, and those of us that have that privilege can support and counter the impact of those that don’t have the privilege (like people who have to get prescriptions there or don’t have transportation to go elsewhere).
I have a question. Let’s say you order something online for in store pick up. It’s a big box store. When you get there, two inflatable rats are up and about four picketers are milling around at the parking lot entrances. It’s just at this location of the big box store; had you picked another location, then there would be not rats.
What do you do? What is right? I felt like I wandered into a moral morass that day.
My understanding is that the rats are used by construction/trade unions and signify that the business hired non-union labor for construction or renovations or whatever. So a rat doesn't always necessarily mean that anyone is on strike.
Anyway, I avoid the rats when I see them, but if you are picking up an online order from a store with a rat outside I think that is not as direct as actually crossing a picket line? I wouldn't like doing what you describe, but I would not feel as bad about it as shopping somewhere the employees are definitely on strike.
In any case, I am far from an expert on labor and the way the rats are used could be ~regional~
I have a question. Let’s say you order something online for in store pick up. It’s a big box store. When you get there, two inflatable rats are up and about four picketers are milling around at the parking lot entrances. It’s just at this location of the big box store; had you picked another location, then there would be not rats.
What do you do? What is right? I felt like I wandered into a moral morass that day.
My understanding is that the rats are used by construction/trade unions and signify that the business hired non-union labor for construction or renovations or whatever. So a rat doesn't always necessarily mean that anyone is on strike.
Anyway, I avoid the rats when I see them, but if you are picking up an online order from a store with a rat outside I think that is not as direct as actually crossing a picket line? I wouldn't like doing what you describe, but I would not feel as bad about it as shopping somewhere the employees are definitely on strike.
In any case, I am far from an expert on labor and the way the rats are used could be ~regional~
Okay, yes We are on the same page.
The rats pop up around here so often and with no warning. I avoid the business during these times (because clearly something is going on but it’s not often not widely publicized). That day I was taken totally by surprise. I did pick up my order but ugh. I felt ways.
I worked at a large hospital...of the people in my department actually were employed by the associated university but my position was actually hospital. Hospital workers are either exempt (me) or non-exempt (and then represented by a union).
To manage an anticipated strike, exempt hospital employees were assigned a non-exempt role they might have to step in a fill. Mine was "soup chef". This came up frequently enough but typically both sides settled before an actual strike. One time there was a strike and one of my coworkers made a comment about me crossing the picket line and my boss went off on the person defending me. But I really had no clue what was happening and though I was exempt, I was in a lower paid position where I was constantly afraid of losing my own job and felt really powerless in that environment overall. I would never have considered not working to support the strike.
This is how my husband’s company operates. Hourly are Union, salaried are not. All salaried are trained to take over an hourly role in the event of a strike.
I worked at a large hospital...of the people in my department actually were employed by the associated university but my position was actually hospital. Hospital workers are either exempt (me) or non-exempt (and then represented by a union).
To manage an anticipated strike, exempt hospital employees were assigned a non-exempt role they might have to step in a fill. Mine was "soup chef". This came up frequently enough but typically both sides settled before an actual strike. One time there was a strike and one of my coworkers made a comment about me crossing the picket line and my boss went off on the person defending me. But I really had no clue what was happening and though I was exempt, I was in a lower paid position where I was constantly afraid of losing my own job and felt really powerless in that environment overall. I would never have considered not working to support the strike.
No judgment whatsoever, but I figured this was a good place to mention that in most cases, you’d be legally protected if you refused:
It’s the most clear cut if you were ALSO in a union, but even non-union, non-managerial staff have a right not to cross. I know the real world is messy though.
ETA: Or maybe I should have quoted quesyrah, because that’s an example of ACTUALLY asking employees to cross a picket line, unlike what OP is talking about. Those salaried workers (if they’re not in a supervisory role) can legally refuse.
Post by formerlyak on Jan 13, 2022 12:57:06 GMT -5
I have. I work in public higher ed. Some clerical positions are union. All the people I know who are part of this union, actually hate it. They feel like they are forced to join and pay dues, but the union doesn't actually do anything for them but take their money. Our university system has a very generous compensation package and everyone - union or not - get the same thing. One year, the union leaders decided to strike because the university system wasn't giving them what they asked for. It was something like 6% raises across the board regardless of performance. It was pretty clear the union was trying to prove their worth because all the members were complaining about the dues when they really get nothing for it. Everyone, union or otherwise, was already slated to get 3%. Only a handful of people in the union even picketed. Most still went to work. I was following it closely because my now ex was part of the the union and he also thought it was dumb and went to work.
Post by litskispeciality on Jan 13, 2022 13:52:24 GMT -5
I'm in a union, but honestly don't understand it. I'm pretty sure my union has a no striking clause or something anyway (which I know goes against the point of a union). Also echo what formerlyak, minus the COL increase. I haven't seen a dime in 2 years, nor an extra penny for working through COVID. The faculty got compensation, but union staff apparently didn't do enough to warrant the money. The only upside of $1K union dues is earning comp time. My colleague couldn't earn that until the union adopted our positions. *sigh*
That being said, we had a big grocery chain strike a few years ago. I wouldn't have shopped, but they stopped stocking shelves until the issue was resolved.
I had to see a couple of ENT's this summer at a hospital with striking nurses. That office, and the blood drawing bank (wrong word) has signs everywhere that they weren't part of the strike. I think they pay different, or were a different union. Thankfully I've heard the striking nurses will be back to work end of Jan, but I'm curious about those who left, or possibly got fired...will they be rehired?
Post by definitelyO on Jan 13, 2022 13:56:24 GMT -5
nope. I will not cross a picket line. (I've never been a union member). My dad was on strike when I was a kid and it was such a horrible experience - our family was threatened with physical violence if my dad wanted to work - we had no money - it was a really bad time for our family.
Post by mysteriouswife on Jan 13, 2022 15:50:51 GMT -5
We all could potentially be crossing a picket line soon. A major freight rail company is planning to strike. There is no way we cannot avoid crossing. Someone/ some company will need to move the freight (ie food, home goods, medical supplies) during this strike. Everyone in this post and beyond will be effected. That’s just how supply chain works. You can go weeks without purchasing, but items you ordered days ago will be on that strike.
Post by MixedBerryJam on Jan 13, 2022 16:34:06 GMT -5
I’ve been busy all day and just opened gbcn for the first time since yesterday, to seven notifications, which is a lot for me. Anyway, I was too cavalier in my initial response and I want to apologize for my lack of nuance. I grew up in a strongly union household — in the 60’s my father was an officer with the afl cio in Massachusetts and a photo of him hosting JFK was front-and-center in our dining room. I’ve never crossed a picket line bc it’s easy enough to find a new place to shop or a new car to buy, etc. But I’ve never had an emergency while medical providers were on strike and I’m quite sure I would cross one in a medical crisis. I’m just lucky enough not to have had to.
I was far too cavalier in my initial response and I’m sorry about that.
Post by hbomdiggity on Jan 13, 2022 17:11:16 GMT -5
I grew up in an area that didn’t have many unions. I think my only experience with a picket line was a few years ago in San Francisco during the Marriott strike. I was on business travel and there was no where else to stay.
We all could potentially be crossing a picket line soon. A major freight rail company is planning to strike. There is no way we cannot avoid crossing. Someone/ some company will need to move the freight (ie food, home goods, medical supplies) during this strike. Everyone in this post and beyond will be effected. That’s just how supply chain works. You can go weeks without purchasing, but items you ordered days ago will be on that strike.
My first thought when I read this thread was the BNSF strike and how it will impact every consumer. I saw that commuters in Chicago were impacted as well. I really can't blame any commuter that decided to cross the picket line to ride the train home since I know a lot of people have time-sensitive things after work that can't be rescheduled on the fly.
I avoid businesses with striking workers, vote pro-union and refused to be part of the "business continuity" team at my work (replacement worker for striking union members), but sometimes finding an alternative is just not feasible.
We all could potentially be crossing a picket line soon. A major freight rail company is planning to strike. There is no way we cannot avoid crossing. Someone/ some company will need to move the freight (ie food, home goods, medical supplies) during this strike. Everyone in this post and beyond will be effected. That’s just how supply chain works. You can go weeks without purchasing, but items you ordered days ago will be on that strike.
My first thought when I read this thread was the BNSF strike and how it will impact every consumer. I saw that commuters in Chicago were impacted as well. I really can't blame any commuter that decided to cross the picket line to ride the train home since I know a lot of people have time-sensitive things after work that can't be rescheduled on the fly.
I avoid businesses with striking workers, vote pro-union and refused to be part of the "business continuity" team at my work (replacement worker for striking union members), but sometimes finding an alternative is just not feasible.
And they should strike. They are being overly worked in unsafe environments
I live in a very hostile-to-unions state, so this doesn't come up often for me. However, if I can I will absolutely not cross picket lines. I have participated in UFW boycotts and, most recently, the Kellogg's boycott and strike support.
In the past the construction unions picketed a small local restaurant that apparently used some non union labor. I ate there once it opened. I don't know if that counts or not.
I live in a very hostile-to-unions state, so this doesn't come up often for me. However, if I can I will absolutely not cross picket lines. I have participated in UFW boycotts and, most recently, the Kellogg's boycott and strike support.
I wish the teachers in my state could strike.
A few years ago, the teachers in my state weren't legally allowed to strike but they did two years in a row. Hopefully if the teachers in your state go on strike anyway, the public supports them and there will be no repercussions.
I've never crossed a picket line but haven't encountered one, either.
As a healthcare worker, especially now, I do wonder what I would do if I was asked to go work in another hospital due to staff striking. My hospital is not a union. I know what not having staff does to patient safety. It would be a tough ethical choice for me to decide to support nurses or help keep patients safe.
Again, I have no experience with unions or strikes and am basing my comments on how I would feel knowing patients are suffering as well as knowing the people on strike are being wronged.
This is the rub for me with teacher strikes too (I'm a teacher, have been union in the past but am not currently). I understand the power of collective bargaining and how strikes slow the economy and exert pressure. But in the case of schools (similar to hospitals), the ones being hurt most immediately and worst are parents and kids, and I really struggle with that.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
My understanding is that the rats are used by construction/trade unions and signify that the business hired non-union labor for construction or renovations or whatever. So a rat doesn't always necessarily mean that anyone is on strike.
Anyway, I avoid the rats when I see them, but if you are picking up an online order from a store with a rat outside I think that is not as direct as actually crossing a picket line? I wouldn't like doing what you describe, but I would not feel as bad about it as shopping somewhere the employees are definitely on strike.
In any case, I am far from an expert on labor and the way the rats are used could be ~regional~
Okay, yes We are on the same page.
The rats pop up around here so often and with no warning. I avoid the business during these times (because clearly something is going on but it’s not often not widely publicized). That day I was taken totally by surprise. I did pick up my order but ugh. I felt ways.
You're local to me, I think. I feel like our city brings the rats on the regular and it's not always strike related.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
The rats pop up around here so often and with no warning. I avoid the business during these times (because clearly something is going on but it’s not often not widely publicized). That day I was taken totally by surprise. I did pick up my order but ugh. I felt ways.
You're local to me, I think. I feel like our city brings the rats on the regular and it's not always strike related.
Went to get Covid tested yesterday. The king Soopers I passed was completely dead.
Also got groceries from Safeway and they were out of almost half my order (the guy subbed two small containers of chocolate milk for two gallons of regular milk, Wtf?). So I’m guessing Safeway has been hit hard, obviously by pandemic stuff, but also by extra shoppers. Fingers crossed there’s some movement soon, because I saw an update yesterday that things aren’t exactly going well.
In the thick of the omicron wave is not a great time to push a ton of shoppers from one chain to another. (This is only an observation, not blaming or upset about any of this.)