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Indybay Feature
Berkeley Bowl Workers To Unionize
Berkeley Bowl Workers Unite to Unionize
Attn : Community Members - please feel free to call (510-843-6929), email (info [at] berkeleybowl.com), and or stop by and give management a few words (there are also customer comment cards at customer service).
Official Press Release*********************************
Berkeley Bowl Employees to Unionize
Employees at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace are working to improve labor/management relations and to set forth a basic agreement covering wages, hours, and conditions of employment. "There is a sense of dignity in working for ‘little produce market that could,’ but now that it is does, and does so extraordinarily well, the workers need a union’s presence to ensure that the 200 employees are treated at level commensurate with the work and the love that they infuse into the store. My work as a cashier is only rewarding if I know that the owners are not building their fortunes by
impoverishing the employees," said Irami Osei-Frimpong, cashier at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace.
All workers at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace are employed "at-will," which
means they are placed on permanent probation and are subject to termination
without reason or explanation. In addition, salary increases are not scheduled, nor are they decided by a formal review. This informal arrangement creates stark wage disparities without a mechanism for the employee’s salaries to be appealed or explained. Produce workers who, after working for almost twenty years, earn as much as the cashiers who have been working for the store for one year: both wages and benefits are below the industry standard for their respective positions.
"I like the Berkeley Bowl. I shopped there before I worked there, and three
years later, I still shop there. However, I see through the ‘worker-friendly’ image, and I’m disappointed in the way most employees are treated. We work at least as hard, if not harder, as Safeway or Andronico’s employees, and we’re forced to expect a lot less compensation."
The Berkeley Bowl Marketplace employees are striving to become members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) to create a contract with the owners of the store, Glenn and Diane Yasuda, to clarify both party’s responsibilities to each other and to the community. "It’s a community store and we endeavor to keep it that way. We believe that Mayor Tom Bates, the city council, and our community shoppers support a store which includes, low prices, economic success, and social justice," Meyer said.
"There is something shameful about the way courtesy clerks are treated," said Eric Feezell." At least one courtesy clerk has been working 32 hours a week for nearly fifteen years and does receive medical benefits. Even if courtesy clerks work as full-time employees, the Berkeley Bowl does not consider the position, whose job description includes aiding disabled shoppers, bagging groceries, and corralling carts in the parking lot, worthy of medical benefits. "Front-end employees understand that courtesy clerks are indispensable," said Osei-Frimpong. "The store refusing to grant
benefits to full-time clerks is a visible reminder that we need a union and a contract to protect the workers’ rights."
"Anytime the courtesy clerks are ill, the store backs up a substantially, the parking lot is a mess because of the carts strewn about, and disabled people just don’t shop," said an employee who wished to remain anonymous.
The management at the Berkeley Bowl has responded to the worker’s efforts by discouraging union involvement. "[My manager] asked me if I signed a card,"
said another employee who wished to remain anonymous. "I didn’t want to answer the questions. I was afraid I might get fired." Asking employees about confidential union matters, such as "who attended a union meeting," and "who supports the union," is strictly prohibited by the National Labor Relations Act.
In another direct violation of the National Labor Relations Act, Managers at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace have made threats to fire up to 100 of its 220 hundred workers.
Contact Information:
Kevin Meyer
510-499-4694
finite42 [at] yahoo.com
Irami Osei-Frimpong
510-843-2682
snowden440 [at] hotmail.com
Eric Feezell
510-839-0697
poofsapped [at] hotmail.com
The Berkeley Bowl Marketplace
510-843-6929
Mayor Tom Bates
510-981-7100
Official Press Release*********************************
Berkeley Bowl Employees to Unionize
Employees at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace are working to improve labor/management relations and to set forth a basic agreement covering wages, hours, and conditions of employment. "There is a sense of dignity in working for ‘little produce market that could,’ but now that it is does, and does so extraordinarily well, the workers need a union’s presence to ensure that the 200 employees are treated at level commensurate with the work and the love that they infuse into the store. My work as a cashier is only rewarding if I know that the owners are not building their fortunes by
impoverishing the employees," said Irami Osei-Frimpong, cashier at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace.
All workers at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace are employed "at-will," which
means they are placed on permanent probation and are subject to termination
without reason or explanation. In addition, salary increases are not scheduled, nor are they decided by a formal review. This informal arrangement creates stark wage disparities without a mechanism for the employee’s salaries to be appealed or explained. Produce workers who, after working for almost twenty years, earn as much as the cashiers who have been working for the store for one year: both wages and benefits are below the industry standard for their respective positions.
"I like the Berkeley Bowl. I shopped there before I worked there, and three
years later, I still shop there. However, I see through the ‘worker-friendly’ image, and I’m disappointed in the way most employees are treated. We work at least as hard, if not harder, as Safeway or Andronico’s employees, and we’re forced to expect a lot less compensation."
The Berkeley Bowl Marketplace employees are striving to become members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) to create a contract with the owners of the store, Glenn and Diane Yasuda, to clarify both party’s responsibilities to each other and to the community. "It’s a community store and we endeavor to keep it that way. We believe that Mayor Tom Bates, the city council, and our community shoppers support a store which includes, low prices, economic success, and social justice," Meyer said.
"There is something shameful about the way courtesy clerks are treated," said Eric Feezell." At least one courtesy clerk has been working 32 hours a week for nearly fifteen years and does receive medical benefits. Even if courtesy clerks work as full-time employees, the Berkeley Bowl does not consider the position, whose job description includes aiding disabled shoppers, bagging groceries, and corralling carts in the parking lot, worthy of medical benefits. "Front-end employees understand that courtesy clerks are indispensable," said Osei-Frimpong. "The store refusing to grant
benefits to full-time clerks is a visible reminder that we need a union and a contract to protect the workers’ rights."
"Anytime the courtesy clerks are ill, the store backs up a substantially, the parking lot is a mess because of the carts strewn about, and disabled people just don’t shop," said an employee who wished to remain anonymous.
The management at the Berkeley Bowl has responded to the worker’s efforts by discouraging union involvement. "[My manager] asked me if I signed a card,"
said another employee who wished to remain anonymous. "I didn’t want to answer the questions. I was afraid I might get fired." Asking employees about confidential union matters, such as "who attended a union meeting," and "who supports the union," is strictly prohibited by the National Labor Relations Act.
In another direct violation of the National Labor Relations Act, Managers at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace have made threats to fire up to 100 of its 220 hundred workers.
Contact Information:
Kevin Meyer
510-499-4694
finite42 [at] yahoo.com
Irami Osei-Frimpong
510-843-2682
snowden440 [at] hotmail.com
Eric Feezell
510-839-0697
poofsapped [at] hotmail.com
The Berkeley Bowl Marketplace
510-843-6929
Mayor Tom Bates
510-981-7100
Add Your Comments
Comments
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I think it sux and sux and sux and sux.
I worked there in the fall of 1980. It was bullshit -- constant hard work and shit pay. Even with Berkeley rents being what they were in those long-gone days it was tough to make ends meet.
One time I got a paycheck, for roughly $185 in wages -- and after Glenn had calculated the taxes, my check was for around $145; so that was about $50 taken out of a less than $200 check!
Isn't Glenn the ex-probation officer, or ex-parole officer? If memory serves me right, Glenn was the assistant manager back then, and the owner was the son of Makato (john) Amano (sp?) a very old guy who owned Yasai Produce on the corner of 63rd and College, across the street from the Rockridge Safeway.
One time I got a paycheck, for roughly $185 in wages -- and after Glenn had calculated the taxes, my check was for around $145; so that was about $50 taken out of a less than $200 check!
Isn't Glenn the ex-probation officer, or ex-parole officer? If memory serves me right, Glenn was the assistant manager back then, and the owner was the son of Makato (john) Amano (sp?) a very old guy who owned Yasai Produce on the corner of 63rd and College, across the street from the Rockridge Safeway.
isn't Berkeley is a socialist town ??
as such,
the Berkeley Bowl would want to subscribe to the socialist philosophy in dealing with it's workers.
in order to please the patrons. and to this end the market would be forced to adopt the policy that All workers would receive the same pay no matter what kind of work they were asked to perform. this being the case as long as the market met the state minimum wage then they are conducting themselves appropriately
the question of raises
but a raise for one employee would mean a raise for all....so unfortunately the idea of a raise is not viable under socialist doctrine.
as such,
the Berkeley Bowl would want to subscribe to the socialist philosophy in dealing with it's workers.
in order to please the patrons. and to this end the market would be forced to adopt the policy that All workers would receive the same pay no matter what kind of work they were asked to perform. this being the case as long as the market met the state minimum wage then they are conducting themselves appropriately
the question of raises
but a raise for one employee would mean a raise for all....so unfortunately the idea of a raise is not viable under socialist doctrine.
Glenn Yasuda used to be a real estate agent. Dan is the manager who used to be a parole officer and is still around.
Both of their previous jobs seem to be at the heart of the COMPANYs whole way of relating to their "at will" employees. The COMPANY or the Yasudas, own multiple properties in the bay area and beyond, that tie into their business. Including a large farm in Atwater, and a somewhat pointless palatial estate in Orinda. They also own houses that good company folk live in(aka supervisors).
Dan's experience as a parole officer seems to drive the management style of the company, along with some sort of cultural nisei(spelling??)desire for complete control over "their" business.
And yes they still pay shitty wages and mess around with the whole pay system entirely too much. One of the Yasudas does payroll, conveniant huh?
Don't Mourn, Organize!! - jh...
Both of their previous jobs seem to be at the heart of the COMPANYs whole way of relating to their "at will" employees. The COMPANY or the Yasudas, own multiple properties in the bay area and beyond, that tie into their business. Including a large farm in Atwater, and a somewhat pointless palatial estate in Orinda. They also own houses that good company folk live in(aka supervisors).
Dan's experience as a parole officer seems to drive the management style of the company, along with some sort of cultural nisei(spelling??)desire for complete control over "their" business.
And yes they still pay shitty wages and mess around with the whole pay system entirely too much. One of the Yasudas does payroll, conveniant huh?
Don't Mourn, Organize!! - jh...
I think you are mistaken. While we all love to refer to Berkeley as "the people's republic of Berkeley", it certainly is NOT a socialist town. While there are some true collectives in Berkeley (two that I know of, the Cheese Board and the Missing LInk bike shop), practically all businesses in town are privately owned. In a true (socialist) collective, all workers are also the owners and share in everything: profits, job duties, decision making, etc. I think it would be great if all the businesses in Berkeley (or the Bay Area or California, for that matter) were collectives, but it just isn't so. Especially at the Berkeley Bowl, where the owners have built their store up from its rather humble beginnings to a nationally known produce market with over 200 employees. Yes, the workers have every right to unionize and bargain collectively for fair wages and benefits. Unless you are willing to put yourself in these workers' place, don't badmouth the union organizing!
Does anyone realize that unions are profit making businesses? These are not philanthropic organizations. With great membership losses, they are scrambling to make up their REVENUE with more DUES by soliciting new MEMBERS. Wake up hippies.
Good luck with your union drive!
For more information:
http://www.wholeworkersunite.org
Why do unions support illegal immigration via funding the Democratic Party? Don't illegal immigrants increase the labor supply, and lower wages for everyone else?
Seems contradictory. Do American Union workers know they're paying dues to make sure that the borders remain open and unguarded?
Seems contradictory. Do American Union workers know they're paying dues to make sure that the borders remain open and unguarded?
Do American Union workers know they're paying dues to make sure that the borders remain open and unguarded?
they may know but most american too lazy to do anything about it
they may know but most american too lazy to do anything about it
Why are the workers seeking to unionize?
It seems to me, that if their wages increase, then the owners will have to raise the prices of food to cover the cost. This will have an adverse impact on families who shop there. What about those people? Isn't affordable food a goal anymore?
It seems to me, that if their wages increase, then the owners will have to raise the prices of food to cover the cost. This will have an adverse impact on families who shop there. What about those people? Isn't affordable food a goal anymore?
Re: keeping prices low – Management always makes this argument. They are not concerned about serving customers, but about their own profits. Remember that most of us are workers as well as consumers. If every industry agreed to forgo unionization, companies could in theory keep prices lower for all us consumers. Or, they could keep prices the same and pocket the difference for themselves. Notice how people can still afford cars, even with a long history of unionized auto workers? How can people afford the present price of groceries if they’re kept on starvation wages by exploitative management? If the Bowl workers unionize, management can give them some of the money the store earns that they deserve, rather than keeping it all for themselves. And if they can’t do that without raising prices to the point of failure of the store, they’re not very good managers, are they?
Re: socialist business
I think your idea that all workers under socialism must be paid the same is pretty limiting. Socialism has as its central aim worker ownership of productive capital, not necessarily equal wages (although that’s not the worst idea out there). Nor are equal wages necessarily part of the famous saying, “from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.”
Re: Union bashing
Yes, there are a lot of corrupt unions out there. But there are tons of corrupt businesses who are far worse—Enron, Worldcom, Imclone, the oil business, the energy crisis, etc. With corruption, either way, it’s the little guy getting screwed, but a “fair” company can still screw workers, while a fair union is the only protection most people can get against exploitation. If people only spent a fraction of the time they spend on union corruption worrying about the vast sums of money hoarded by corrupt companies, we’d all be a lot better off, don’t you think?
Re: socialist business
I think your idea that all workers under socialism must be paid the same is pretty limiting. Socialism has as its central aim worker ownership of productive capital, not necessarily equal wages (although that’s not the worst idea out there). Nor are equal wages necessarily part of the famous saying, “from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.”
Re: Union bashing
Yes, there are a lot of corrupt unions out there. But there are tons of corrupt businesses who are far worse—Enron, Worldcom, Imclone, the oil business, the energy crisis, etc. With corruption, either way, it’s the little guy getting screwed, but a “fair” company can still screw workers, while a fair union is the only protection most people can get against exploitation. If people only spent a fraction of the time they spend on union corruption worrying about the vast sums of money hoarded by corrupt companies, we’d all be a lot better off, don’t you think?
unions for lazy american what berkeley bowl needs is workers who not afraid to do a little work workers who not take ten coffee break a day
what with that? i thought coffee give you energy?
anyway berkeley bowl just need better workers who not need union.
what with that? i thought coffee give you energy?
anyway berkeley bowl just need better workers who not need union.
after years thumping for harsh sanctions against undocumented workers, the AFL-CIO has come out against such measures.
it came to understand that draconian laws criminalizing non-documented workers are used by bosses as a weapon to keep "illegals" from demanding better conditions, and, in the process, pushing down conditions for all workers.
it came to understand that draconian laws criminalizing non-documented workers are used by bosses as a weapon to keep "illegals" from demanding better conditions, and, in the process, pushing down conditions for all workers.
Hey mantar
I'd vote for the next democratic nominee who pledges to enforce immigration laws. If the unions would stand up to teh dems and demand such a policy, it would happen.
The unions see the illegals as future victims / dues paying union members. They're not as concerned for their current membership who foots the bill for the recruitment of more (cheaper) labor supply.
I'd vote for the next democratic nominee who pledges to enforce immigration laws. If the unions would stand up to teh dems and demand such a policy, it would happen.
The unions see the illegals as future victims / dues paying union members. They're not as concerned for their current membership who foots the bill for the recruitment of more (cheaper) labor supply.
It is sad to see workers exploited, of all places, in Berkeley. Contrary to public image, Berkeley is a place where labor has to fight for even simple things like forming unions.
My well wishes are with you all. I was also exploited by a few prominent members of Berkeley including professors from UC Berkeley, former editor of Mother Jones and founding VP of Cisco Systems who talks loudly about workers' rights.
Kamal
and
Xamplify Sucks
My well wishes are with you all. I was also exploited by a few prominent members of Berkeley including professors from UC Berkeley, former editor of Mother Jones and founding VP of Cisco Systems who talks loudly about workers' rights.
Kamal
and
Xamplify Sucks
For more information:
http://www.kamalsinha.com
I was also exploited by a few prominent members of Berkeley including professors from UC Berkeley, former editor of Mother Jones and founding VP of Cisco Systems who talks loudly about workers' rights.
it is sad to see these ungrateful american workers,
you do little, for your pay. I would not be suprised if they fire you. I would!
why do you whine about your professors, you should be grateful for your education. but you no.
it is sad to see these ungrateful american workers,
you do little, for your pay. I would not be suprised if they fire you. I would!
why do you whine about your professors, you should be grateful for your education. but you no.
Tibor Szamuely writes:
"One time I got a paycheck, for roughly $185 in wages -- and after Glenn had calculated the taxes, my check was for around $145; so that was about $50 taken out of a less than $200 check! "
40/185 = 22%
You are blaming the store for high taxes?? It's the law for them to withhold taxes for Fed income, state/local, and payroll. Damn. Tough crowd.
Not a socialist town writes:
"I think it would be great if all the businesses in Berkeley (or the Bay Area or California, for that matter) were collectives, but it just isn't so."
What, and just steal the business from the person who thought of the idea, raised the financing, and took the risk? Crazy shit. As far as I know, even China doesn't do this anymore.
Raphael writes:
"Notice how people can still afford cars, even with a long history of unionized auto workers?"
Also notice that the US automakers have lost billions over the past several years. It is very possible that Ford will be bankrupt by the end of the decade. The problem? 20% overcapacity and the UAW won't let them shut factories. Why are Toyota and Honda factories so productive in the US? Non-union. Which cars are higher quality? The non-union produced cars.
"They are not concerned about serving customers, but about their own profits."
So wrong. An owner is concerned solely about making profits. She makes profits by serving its customers a product they want, with good service, at a fair price. If there wasn't the potential for profits, she wouldn't have started the business. Remember the risk and return relationship.
"And if they can’t do that (support the higher wage rates) without raising prices to the point of failure of the store, they’re not very good managers, are they? "
Grocery stores have amongst the lowest margins of any industry -- around 3%. On average, unions force labor rates up as much as 25%. Do the math. Will you people shop there if goods are noticably more expensive than the non-union shop down the street? You won't.
By the way, Imclone was not a corrupt business. It's CEO traded stock illegally and will serve time for it. The company will probably release an effective oncology drug to the world within two years.
Finally, keep this in mind. If the workers unionize, prices will increase (guaranteed). The typical Berkeley Bowl shopper will care less about the politics of the store. They will only notice that the bill is greater than it used to be. They will lose business. Guaranteed. Just like unionized Ford can't compete with non-union Toyota, unionized Berkeley Bowl will not be able to compete with its non-union competitors. The only way they can, is if ALL of you make a concerted effort to support them after they unionize. You will pay higher grocery bills, but for a "good cause". But you won't. Guaranteed.
"One time I got a paycheck, for roughly $185 in wages -- and after Glenn had calculated the taxes, my check was for around $145; so that was about $50 taken out of a less than $200 check! "
40/185 = 22%
You are blaming the store for high taxes?? It's the law for them to withhold taxes for Fed income, state/local, and payroll. Damn. Tough crowd.
Not a socialist town writes:
"I think it would be great if all the businesses in Berkeley (or the Bay Area or California, for that matter) were collectives, but it just isn't so."
What, and just steal the business from the person who thought of the idea, raised the financing, and took the risk? Crazy shit. As far as I know, even China doesn't do this anymore.
Raphael writes:
"Notice how people can still afford cars, even with a long history of unionized auto workers?"
Also notice that the US automakers have lost billions over the past several years. It is very possible that Ford will be bankrupt by the end of the decade. The problem? 20% overcapacity and the UAW won't let them shut factories. Why are Toyota and Honda factories so productive in the US? Non-union. Which cars are higher quality? The non-union produced cars.
"They are not concerned about serving customers, but about their own profits."
So wrong. An owner is concerned solely about making profits. She makes profits by serving its customers a product they want, with good service, at a fair price. If there wasn't the potential for profits, she wouldn't have started the business. Remember the risk and return relationship.
"And if they can’t do that (support the higher wage rates) without raising prices to the point of failure of the store, they’re not very good managers, are they? "
Grocery stores have amongst the lowest margins of any industry -- around 3%. On average, unions force labor rates up as much as 25%. Do the math. Will you people shop there if goods are noticably more expensive than the non-union shop down the street? You won't.
By the way, Imclone was not a corrupt business. It's CEO traded stock illegally and will serve time for it. The company will probably release an effective oncology drug to the world within two years.
Finally, keep this in mind. If the workers unionize, prices will increase (guaranteed). The typical Berkeley Bowl shopper will care less about the politics of the store. They will only notice that the bill is greater than it used to be. They will lose business. Guaranteed. Just like unionized Ford can't compete with non-union Toyota, unionized Berkeley Bowl will not be able to compete with its non-union competitors. The only way they can, is if ALL of you make a concerted effort to support them after they unionize. You will pay higher grocery bills, but for a "good cause". But you won't. Guaranteed.
Labor laws in this country have evolved to the point where we don't really need labor unions anymore to protect employees. This is especially true in industries like the grocery industry.
Not every job in the world should pay enough to raise a family of four or five - this is the case with groceries. I respect anyone who works for a living, but society just cannot afford to pay grocery baggers $50k a year. Those jobs do provide important roles in our economy and should be preserved as such. The first role is as training for young workers. Traditionally, teenagers worked as baggers or cashiers. This trained them in work ethic, punctuality, organization, customer service, etc. So, while they were not being paid much $$, they were receiving a lot for having that job. Secondly, many families are just seeking supplemental $$ and do not need health insurance or other additional benefits, because they get them from a spouse or job.
Now, because workers need not invest a lot in education to work at a grocery, there are a lot of people who want those jobs and will work there for less $. Why not let them? Why should we advocate the entry of a union where customers (with families of their own) and other potential employees (who'd work for less) would be hurt for the benefit of just a few?
Not every job in the world should pay enough to raise a family of four or five - this is the case with groceries. I respect anyone who works for a living, but society just cannot afford to pay grocery baggers $50k a year. Those jobs do provide important roles in our economy and should be preserved as such. The first role is as training for young workers. Traditionally, teenagers worked as baggers or cashiers. This trained them in work ethic, punctuality, organization, customer service, etc. So, while they were not being paid much $$, they were receiving a lot for having that job. Secondly, many families are just seeking supplemental $$ and do not need health insurance or other additional benefits, because they get them from a spouse or job.
Now, because workers need not invest a lot in education to work at a grocery, there are a lot of people who want those jobs and will work there for less $. Why not let them? Why should we advocate the entry of a union where customers (with families of their own) and other potential employees (who'd work for less) would be hurt for the benefit of just a few?
I think you don't understand how collectives work. No one person shells out money for "his idea". Everyone contributes equal amounts. All jobs are shared. All profits are shared. You should go down to the Missing LInk and ask the workers/owners about their collective before you make assumptions.
I think you don't understand how collectives work.???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
so you think that any employee that is hired now has controlling "rights" in his employers company?
now tell us where do you work???
how about you run this one past the owner of the business you work for and see what his reaction is........then let us know what he said???
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
so you think that any employee that is hired now has controlling "rights" in his employers company?
now tell us where do you work???
how about you run this one past the owner of the business you work for and see what his reaction is........then let us know what he said???
Hi there,
Do the worker/owners of collectives join unions?
Do the worker/owners of collectives join unions?
How do collectives handle laziness, idleness, and apathy in the workforce? How do they manage disparity among the talents and contributions of the workers? It seems that a very hard worker, over time, would become resentful and dissillusioned after seeing equal distributions for unequal contributions.
>How do collectives handle laziness, idleness, and apathy in the workforce?
Not a problem. People like that don’t join collectives. Occasionally, people are deemed unsuitable for membership for other reasons. It is dealt with through democratic process. Sometimes this is messy, but it is not done in an arbitrary fashion.
>How do they manage disparity among the talents and contributions of the workers?
As equitably as possible. Sometimes this is imperfect, but it's still better than having a boss. Having a boss differes from being chattel only in degree.
>It seems that a very hard worker, over time, would become resentful and dissillusioned after seeing equal distributions for unequal contributions.
People contribute equally, as far as possible. When it is not possible, a collective prorates accordingly. An hour is an hour. Time is the stuff that life is made of. Yourlife is worth no less than mine.
For more information on the Bay Area’s thriving collective workplaces, see:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2002/06/135212.php
http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/06/1618295.php
http://www.sfbg.com/nessie/38.html
Not a problem. People like that don’t join collectives. Occasionally, people are deemed unsuitable for membership for other reasons. It is dealt with through democratic process. Sometimes this is messy, but it is not done in an arbitrary fashion.
>How do they manage disparity among the talents and contributions of the workers?
As equitably as possible. Sometimes this is imperfect, but it's still better than having a boss. Having a boss differes from being chattel only in degree.
>It seems that a very hard worker, over time, would become resentful and dissillusioned after seeing equal distributions for unequal contributions.
People contribute equally, as far as possible. When it is not possible, a collective prorates accordingly. An hour is an hour. Time is the stuff that life is made of. Yourlife is worth no less than mine.
For more information on the Bay Area’s thriving collective workplaces, see:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2002/06/135212.php
http://www.indybay.org/news/2003/06/1618295.php
http://www.sfbg.com/nessie/38.html
The articles you linked me to were interesting.
I look forward to seeing how the collective movement fares in the marketplace. The obvious benefits are a more equal distribution of wealth in this country, which concerns a pro-competition conservative like myself.
If the collectives encourage participation and productivity among happier workers, resulting in a competitive product, then we all benefit.
I look forward to seeing how the collective movement fares in the marketplace. The obvious benefits are a more equal distribution of wealth in this country, which concerns a pro-competition conservative like myself.
If the collectives encourage participation and productivity among happier workers, resulting in a competitive product, then we all benefit.
"Class is not about economics. Economics is about class."
I can't argue with this.
I can't argue with this.
Seems like you just posted your comments without reading anything. If you have time please visit my website Xamplify and find out the truth about your professors. These professors are businessmen. Also, even if I had taken courses under them, which I didn't, why should i be thankful. They are getting paid quite well and most of them are there partly because of their connections.
Links to some of the professors are as follows:
Robert Oliver Berkeley
Berlekamp Berkeley
David Donoho Stanford
Enjoy!
IITian Kamal
Links to some of the professors are as follows:
Robert Oliver Berkeley
Berlekamp Berkeley
David Donoho Stanford
Enjoy!
IITian Kamal
For more information:
http://www.kamalsinha.com
why should i be thankful.
your attitude brings shame on your family,
this is what you have learned from collage. to attack your teachers
your attitude brings shame on your family,
this is what you have learned from collage. to attack your teachers
Kamal,
If you are paranoid that Xamplify will expose your money laundering transactions, then perhaps you should cease to conduct these illegal activities immediately.
If you are paranoid that Xamplify will expose your money laundering transactions, then perhaps you should cease to conduct these illegal activities immediately.
It's about a more equal distribution of power. Class is not about economics. Economics is about class
( SOME PEOPLE HAVE NETHER )
Bullplop. In a class society, *everyone* has class.
Some people have nether? What is that? Should I be concerned? Should I be concerned because I don't have nether?
I'm worried. If you have more info about nether and its uses, please let us know.
I'm worried. If you have more info about nether and its uses, please let us know.
I've been a union worker and a supporter of unionism almost all my working life. However, the way the unions are run nowadays - they've been hijacked by corporate minded slicksters. It's clear that the philosophy of those behind this organizing drive is no different. Just look at the very first words of the statement: "Employees at the Berkeley Bowl Marketplace are working to improve labor/management relations..."
Is this what unionism is for - to improve relations with the boss? How pathetic. Let's get real - anytime workers win rights and better wages and conditions, the boss will not be happy. This comes out of his profits . (He can't just raise prices to compensate; he'd lose business that way; the "free market" won't allow it.)
Organizing a union has absolutely zero to do with getting along better with the boss. Unfortunately the union leadership hasn't the slightest idea about this and are constantly seeking to convince the boss that they pose no threat. As a result, they do everything in their power to prevent any real serious struggle against corporate America (the capitalist class) as well as the individual capitalists such as the owner of Berkeley Bowl. The result of this has been a constant downhill slide in wages and working conditions for workers.
I hope that workers at Berkeley Bowl win the union and I hope that they see to it that REAL unionism is the order of the day there.
Is this what unionism is for - to improve relations with the boss? How pathetic. Let's get real - anytime workers win rights and better wages and conditions, the boss will not be happy. This comes out of his profits . (He can't just raise prices to compensate; he'd lose business that way; the "free market" won't allow it.)
Organizing a union has absolutely zero to do with getting along better with the boss. Unfortunately the union leadership hasn't the slightest idea about this and are constantly seeking to convince the boss that they pose no threat. As a result, they do everything in their power to prevent any real serious struggle against corporate America (the capitalist class) as well as the individual capitalists such as the owner of Berkeley Bowl. The result of this has been a constant downhill slide in wages and working conditions for workers.
I hope that workers at Berkeley Bowl win the union and I hope that they see to it that REAL unionism is the order of the day there.
For more information:
http://laborsMilitantVoice.com
Hi, I think you have a good point. However, I was the data modeler there just prior to their claims of money laundering detection algorithm and based on my experience, at the time I left, the company had no such algorithm. It is highly likely the company got an algorithm to detect money laundering activities soon after I left this racist company.
Now the question arises why would a company make such a claim. Thanks to Patriot Act, the government is left with billions of dollars to award companies that can do such detection. The company's backers are all famous and rich and the government is likely to believe them.
I think you are able to get the gist of what I am saying. If not, Xamplify Inc has a vacancy. ;)
For more information:
http://www.kamalsinha.com
I don't have respect for professors who don't deserve it. Some are good and some are bad but it is rare to find a professor, especially in places like Stanford and Berkeley, who is doing it for public service. Please don't get me started on this. :)
Kamal
Kamal
For more information:
http://www.kamalsinha.com/iit/me/
1) Berkeley Bowl workers have the right to unionize and have equal say in their working conditions. They have a right to work for a living wage, which is probably a minimum starting pay of about $16.00 an hour at this point in Berkeley. They have a right to cost of living increases and other merit based benefits. They have a right to feel equally powerful in the workplace and not to live in fear of management. They have a right to medical benefits. If the government won't pay, the businesses profiting off not paying their fair share of taxes to make universal medical and other social programs possible MUST pay.
2) Management doesn't have the right to pocket huge profits on their own off the efforts of their undercompensated workers who are cowed into wage and social submission by the unequal and unjustifiable authoritarian/hierarchical relationship of management to worker in a non-unionized establishment. No one does have that much more value than any other worker in a business. It just doesn't work that way. Profiting, greedy insular yuppies and old money types have been living in a dream world for the wealthy in the US for the past 25 years or so where they've actually been experiencing deflation and improvement in services and government subsidies to THEM! in the form of ever widening tax and corporate profit taking loopholes. Wake up! Take back our value. Stop being fucking sheep people!
3) Berkeley Bowl workers could also buy into Berkeley Bowl as worker/owners. If management went this route, management would have to relinquish control of workers in the same way that unionized worker/management relationships entail. Berkeley Bowl could model their worker managed company on Rainbow Coop in SFO or other successful worker managed operations here or abroad (eg., Modragon Spain). The current owner could negotiate some sort of ongoing profit windfall provision in the contract to sell the business to employees so that he could keep some of his wealth as well as profiting from the sale of a portion of the business to workers. However, he would have to relinquish management of worker rights in the process. Hierarchy and authoritarianism must die. It's become so subtle at times these days. BE RADICAL AND PROUD FOLKS!!! AND LOUD!!!
Risk unpopularity.
Sincerely yours,
Frank Snapp
Oakland
2) Management doesn't have the right to pocket huge profits on their own off the efforts of their undercompensated workers who are cowed into wage and social submission by the unequal and unjustifiable authoritarian/hierarchical relationship of management to worker in a non-unionized establishment. No one does have that much more value than any other worker in a business. It just doesn't work that way. Profiting, greedy insular yuppies and old money types have been living in a dream world for the wealthy in the US for the past 25 years or so where they've actually been experiencing deflation and improvement in services and government subsidies to THEM! in the form of ever widening tax and corporate profit taking loopholes. Wake up! Take back our value. Stop being fucking sheep people!
3) Berkeley Bowl workers could also buy into Berkeley Bowl as worker/owners. If management went this route, management would have to relinquish control of workers in the same way that unionized worker/management relationships entail. Berkeley Bowl could model their worker managed company on Rainbow Coop in SFO or other successful worker managed operations here or abroad (eg., Modragon Spain). The current owner could negotiate some sort of ongoing profit windfall provision in the contract to sell the business to employees so that he could keep some of his wealth as well as profiting from the sale of a portion of the business to workers. However, he would have to relinquish management of worker rights in the process. Hierarchy and authoritarianism must die. It's become so subtle at times these days. BE RADICAL AND PROUD FOLKS!!! AND LOUD!!!
Risk unpopularity.
Sincerely yours,
Frank Snapp
Oakland
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