Photos from Berkeley Bowl walkout

Ok, so I was active in the walkout, and I just want to report that whoever claimed lines stretching back to the meat department was mistaken. Certainly, lines backed up and the front-end of the store was brought to a near stand-still. However, there is no need to exaggerate actual events. Lines were about 8-12 customers deep and whil the vast majority of them were openly and vocally a supportive, "customers waited patiently" is not very true either. Some were none too plussed. I consider our action to have been a success, that we effectively protested the wrongful termination of Arturo Perez and that we sent management a message of solidarity. We need not glorify what happened for sake of it''s importance.

They will not re-hire the fired employee if all you do is take an extra fifteen minute break.

It was not a 15 minute "break". It was a 15 minute walk off at the busiest time of operations Sunday afternoon near closing time. It showed an amazing solidarity between different parts of the Berkeley Bowl workforce. A lot of customers signed up for the first time letteers of complaint. Hit him hardd and short, so that the underpaid workers don't lose more money. Direct Action gets the goods. Venceremos

First of all, my respect to Berkeley Bowl workers, of whom I was so recently a member, for staging an effective walkout. I am quite desponent to hear that Arturo has been fired. The Yasudas just don't get it. I don't understand why they cannot get past their greed and actually kick down some profits to the hard-working folk whose labor procures their profit.

As for the naysayer who said it wouldn't make a difference, maybe offer another option next time. It's easy to point out what's wrong but much harder to come up with solutions. The solution part is what makes it constructive criticism; otherwise, you're just being pessimistic.

Also, lines at Berkeley Bowl are always long on Sundays, walk-out or no walk-out. People always complain about the lines but refuse to bag their groceries or realize that the very reason that Berkeley Bowl is often understaffed is due to the thankless nature of the job. As a former cashier, I have never worked so hard (nor hope to) in all my life. It's incredible the amount of stress these workers shoulder just to keep people fed, and I wish more of the community would recognize that.

Once again, I fuily support Berkeley Bowl workers and wish them luck and courage in their struggle.

Yours truly,
Loren E. Clive

This makes me very happy.

I'm one of the anarchists who has been helping when I can with this unionizing effort. Some friends and I started coming down to the Bowl and handing out balloons with things like "we love unions" and "rehire chuck" written on them for customers to tie to their carts or give to their kids to hold while shopping.

Taking the first step in major workplace action together is a very scary thing for most working people. Even if you know that your entire workplace is walking out, and only for ten seconds before coming back in, there is still the very real threat that you will be fired for participating. Especially at such a bitterly anti-union employer as Berkeley Bowl has proven itself to be with the firings of Chuck and Arturo.

This shows that people are getting to the point where they will take part in work actions. This is incredibly exciting. I have recently become a bit pessimistic about the possibilities at Berkeley Bowl, since community pressure alone cannot force a concession from management, and Berkeley Bowl management have shown they won't listen.

This action sends the signal to management, the community, and their sister and fellow workers that Berkeley Bowl workers are willing to shut down the workplace to get their union recognized and get justice for their fired co-workers. This action will hopefully build the confidence among the workforce at the Bowl that if a storewide strike becomes necessary, they can do it and they can win.