Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
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Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
Kroger really seems to have become anti-union. (Shrug)
https://www.opb.org/article/2021/12/13/ ... l-workers/
No discussion locally about Albertsons Company stores, I am assuming they came to an agreement.
I'm pretty sure no one else left is unionized (Market of Choice, Zupans Walmart, New Seasons, Uwajimaya, 99 Ranch).
https://www.opb.org/article/2021/12/13/ ... l-workers/
No discussion locally about Albertsons Company stores, I am assuming they came to an agreement.
I'm pretty sure no one else left is unionized (Market of Choice, Zupans Walmart, New Seasons, Uwajimaya, 99 Ranch).
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
From what I understand, the possible strike is only going to affect Fred Meyer and QFC.SamSpade wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:25 am Kroger really seems to have become anti-union. (Shrug)
https://www.opb.org/article/2021/12/13/ ... l-workers/
No discussion locally about Albertsons Company stores, I am assuming they came to an agreement.
I'm pretty sure no one else left is unionized (Market of Choice, Zupans Walmart, New Seasons, Uwajimaya, 99 Ranch).
I do remember a strike locally at Safeway around 1989 or 1990 which lasted for quite some time. Back then, there were 3 or 4 locally owned union competitors in addition to Fred Meyer which all got an increase in business. Walmart wasn't even in the Northwest yet.
With the timing, this could end up being a big hit for Fred Meyer in that some people are still doing non-grocery Christmas shopping. Despite the reduced GM mix, the stores are still busy this time of year.
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
Kroger's Houston division also voted to authorize a strike though nothing has been done yet; meanwhile Kroger has run a site that runs against the union, arguing that their health plan is better, etc.SamSpade wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:25 am Kroger really seems to have become anti-union. (Shrug)
https://www.opb.org/article/2021/12/13/ ... l-workers/
I don't see Houston's strike going anywhere mainly because both sides have everything to lose--they're the only unionized grocer in the area and they've lost a lot of market share to H-E-B (Kroger was briefly #1 at one point after Randalls started to suffer from Safeway's buyout but H-E-B still had Pantry stores only). I've even seen speculation that closing Montrose's store (the "Disco Kroger") was a flex by Kroger against the unions.
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
Kroger reminds me quite similarly of the old Safeway chain in about 2005. You know, they were not dying yet, but they were so customer unfriendly and so employee unfriendly that it was clear they were heading in a path toward the end.SamSpade wrote: ↑December 14th, 2021, 12:25 am Kroger really seems to have become anti-union. (Shrug)
https://www.opb.org/article/2021/12/13/ ... l-workers/
But I am probably back to doing 50% of my shopping at Smiths the past couple months thanks to very bad pricing moves by Safeway and that Raley's One thing... Too bad.
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
So this labor action appears to be a shot at renegotiating their existing contract, not about a new contract that's replacing an expiring contract. Is this a new union tactic?
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
Maybe rather than screwing around with this sort of thing at the present time, the union should be assisting in the recruitment efforts for the understaffed stores with numerous open positions. After all, all those open positions mean fewer people paying union dues... it would benefit the union to get these stores closer to having 100% of positions filled.
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
Historically, in modern times, the Unions have had rare leverage with employers while also being legally dismantled all over the country. In fact, they have repeatedly gave concessions to these employers with the hopes of reaping better benefits in the future (which they NEVER received).storewanderer wrote: ↑December 15th, 2021, 11:35 pmMaybe rather than screwing around with this sort of thing at the present time, the union should be assisting in the recruitment efforts for the understaffed stores with numerous open positions. After all, all those open positions mean fewer people paying union dues... it would benefit the union to get these stores closer to having 100% of positions filled.
Perhaps this is an opportune time to exact some pressure?
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
If Kroger continues down this path toward the end, I wonder who would buy them?storewanderer wrote: ↑December 15th, 2021, 6:45 pm Kroger reminds me quite similarly of the old Safeway chain in about 2005. You know, they were not dying yet, but they were so customer unfriendly and so employee unfriendly that it was clear they were heading in a path toward the end.
But I am probably back to doing 50% of my shopping at Smiths the past couple months thanks to very bad pricing moves by Safeway and that Raley's One thing... Too bad.
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
If the online/Ocado thing takes off and is a roaring success, it will make up for the situation that has taken place in the stores. After the pandemic I think it has a good chance.retailfanmitchell019 wrote: ↑December 16th, 2021, 1:49 pm
If Kroger continues down this path toward the end, I wonder who would buy them?
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Re: Portland and SW Washington strike discussion
Improving pay and benefits is the best recruitment.storewanderer wrote: ↑December 15th, 2021, 11:35 pm Maybe rather than screwing around with this sort of thing at the present time, the union should be assisting in the recruitment efforts for the understaffed stores with numerous open positions. After all, all those open positions mean fewer people paying union dues... it would benefit the union to get these stores closer to having 100% of positions filled.
When Walmart, Trader Joe's, etc., are offering higher starting wages, it is a problem for Kroger. Recruiting efforts aren't going to fix that.