9/12/04: A Vons supermarket in Fresno put up a new sign on their front door. With contract negotiations looming, they are on the lookout for scabs. The sign welcoming customers today offered drivers $16.85 an hour. In Fresno, where the “official” unemployment rate has been over 10% for decades, this sign is sure to get some attention. Workers stated that the sign was "the companies way of preparing for negotiations.” In the event of a strike. “They want us to know that they are preparing to bring in scabs to take our jobs.”