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with union leaders like these, who needs union busting employers

by Richard Mellor (lmv_info [at] yahoo.com)
analysis of so. cal grocery workers' strike settlement
As predicted by those of us that have walked a few picket lines over
the 25 years, the UFCW and AFL-CIO leadership orchestrate another
demoralizing defeat for organized labor despite tremendous heroism
from the rank and file. There will be increased anger now at the
trade union movement as workers sacrificed so much for so little and
new hires find themselves working alongside their brothers and
sisters doing the same work for less money and benefits and blaming
the Union for it.

"We don't really have a choice. We have to go back to work,", says
one striker. How many times has this scenario played out? The
employers knew they had no choice because they knew that the union
leaders would offer their members no choice.

"They should have got more for us, but they are saying this is the
best they can do,", says another. This is not true of course. The
Union leadership refused to spread the strike keeping it isolated to
southern California, a strategy that has been played out time after
time in defeat after defeat at terrible cost to the dues paying
member.

The Union leadership refused to shut down the chains nationally
clinging instead to the boycott which has failed miserably in the
past. They demonized Safeway CEO Byrd in childish attempt to portray
him, and not the employers as a whole, as the problem. They kept
their members in the dark and made no attempt to involve them in the
struggle other than on picket lines. They are obsessed with "good
faith" in the hope they can keep their friendly relatiuonss with the
employers as a whole and their politicians.

"Basically, for all those months that we were out there on strike, we
should've got a better deal," says another striker, This feeling will
intensify as anger grows toward the union. This defeat will
strengthen the employers and will make workers even more cautious
than we are now about taking on the boss and going out on strike, it
will condemn Walmart workers to further misery.

And the labor leaders and many of their well educated and trained
young staffers who they draw in to the bureaucracy will continue to
tell us how workers need educating. How workers need to be taught
about solidarity etc. etc. What a sham the AFL-CIO's organizing
institute is. They've just educated thousands of workers alright,
taught them that you can stay out for months, that you can lose your
home, that you can make great sacrifices, but you still lose. That
there's "nothing you can do". What happens when they make unions
illegal. Oh, yes, the officials and their staff will run around
jobsites getting us to sign opt out cards?

But many workers will also come to understand that the fault lies
with those at the helm of the ship.Yes, the companies won, but why.
It is a painful process this, but many of us have been through it.
Many "progressive" thinkers will blame the members for this defeat
which is what the union officials do in one way or another. But it
is inevitable that the correct conclusions will be drawn by many
union members, that a struggle against the policies of the union
leadership is unavoidable. They will not leave voluntarily. But the
history of the labor movement in the U.S. is rich with such lessons,
we can learn from them.

Richard

Grocery Pact Is Put to a Vote
Union members weigh in on a contract to end their long strike. Some
criticize the deal but are eager to work again.
By John O'Dell, Debora Vrana and Ronald D. White, Times Staff Writers

Grocery workers began voting Saturday on a labor pact that offered no
raises but would put them back on the job after nearly five months on
picket lines.

At polling places in Los Angeles and Orange counties, union members'
support for the contract appeared widespread - if not enthusiastic.

"We don't really have a choice. We have to go back to work," said
Larry Clow, 38, who hopes to return soon to his position as night
manager of a Vons in south Orange County.

A majority vote for ratification would end the strike and lockout,
which began Oct. 11, idling 59,000 workers at 852 stores in Central
and Southern California. The proposed contract was drafted by
negotiators for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union and
Albertsons Inc.; Kroger Co., which owns Ralphs; and Safeway Inc., the
parent of Vons and Pavilions.

Union leaders urged members to approve the contract. The thousands
who voted Saturday received fact sheets and summaries explaining the
dozens of provisions in the pact.

Overall, it would lower the supermarkets' labor costs, most notably
by instituting a two-tier system in which new hires would receive
substantially less in wages and benefits than veteran workers. The
UFCW initially opposed the system but conceded when the supermarkets
wouldn't budge.

Veterans covered under the last contract, which expired Oct. 6,
wouldn't get raises and the companies' contributions toward their
healthcare coverage would be capped at $4.60 an hour in the third
year of the contract, according to a copy of the proposed changes
obtained by The Times.

Current workers wouldn't have to pitch in for healthcare coverage in
the first two years, and perhaps not the third year if the healthcare
contributions from the store and reserves are sufficient to cover the
costs. If they do have to contribute in the final year, the cost
would be an estimated $5 a week for a single worker and $15 a week
for a family.

"I'm really disappointed in the terms," said Lori Friend, a
45-year-old single mother who has worked for Ralphs for 27 years. "We
got a reduced pension plan, no raises and less benefits."

She said she had voted "no" at a polling place in Anaheim but
acknowledged she was in the minority. "We fought as long as we
could," Friend said.

Under the proposed contract, veterans would receive two lump-sum
payments totaling 60 cents an hour for each hour they had logged in
the 12 months before the last contract's expiration. For the average
worker, that would total about $1,000.

Some said that wasn't fair. "Basically, for all those months that we
were out there on strike, we should've got a better deal," said
Armando Montes, 42, who was voting in Hollywood.

Montes' wife was on the picket lines with him, making it especially
tough on them at a time when they have a 19-year-old daughter in
college.

"They should have got more for us, but they are saying this is the
best they can do," Montes said. "They told us you can go out for
another four months and the employers are not going to move. This is
not what we hoped."

Also voting in Hollywood was Ken Oxford, a 20-year veteran union
employee at an Alhambra Ralphs. He said he would be glad to go back
to work but was unhappy with the contract - and would be counting the
days until he could retire.

In Van Nuys, Ron Inouye and others waited in line for an hour or more
to cast ballots. Inouye said he wanted to vote against the contract
but had been told by union officials that " 'if we vote it down, it
will only get worse.' What kind of choice is that?"

Concluded Sheryl Speer, a general merchandise clerk at a Vons in
Agoura Hills who halfheartedly voted for ratification: "The companies
won."

Times Staff Writer James F. Peltz contributed to this report.
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Keen Observer
Wed, Mar 3, 2004 4:41AM
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