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Whole Foods Employees Are Staging a Nationwide 'Sick-Out'
Vice.Com ^ | 3/30/2020 | Lauren Kaori Gurley

Posted on 03/30/2020 10:54:01 AM PDT by Nifty

Workers say they will strike Tuesday because the Amazon subsidiary has failed to prioritize their safety during a period of record sales.

Whole Foods employees are planning to strike on Tuesday to protest the lack of protections offered to workers during the coronavirus pandemic—the first national collective action led by workers at the company since it was founded in 1980.

On March 31, Whole Foods employees will call in sick to demand paid leave for all workers who stay home or self-quarantine during the crisis, free coronavirus testing for all employees, and hazard pay of double the current hourly wage for employees who show up to work during the pandemic.

“COVID-19 is a very real threat to the safety of our workforce and customers,” Whole Worker, the national worker group that is organizing the “sick out” wrote in a statement. “We cannot wait for politicians, institutions, or our own management to step in to protect us.”

(Excerpt) Read more at vice.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Food
KEYWORDS: virus; wholefoods; workers
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I was wondering when something like this would start.
1 posted on 03/30/2020 10:54:01 AM PDT by Nifty
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To: Nifty

I’m sure there is risk but just like my job in hospital it’s essential.


2 posted on 03/30/2020 10:56:31 AM PDT by arkfreepdom
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To: Nifty

Coupled with the fact that other layed-off workers who could replace the current employees can make more by collecting “enhanced unemployment” rather than working, this is a potentially dangerous (though not unforeseen) development.


3 posted on 03/30/2020 10:57:44 AM PDT by glennaro
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To: Nifty

I’m sure there are many unemployed people who would gladly take their place, I mean how hard of a job is it?


4 posted on 03/30/2020 10:57:49 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: arkfreepdom

85%+ of my co-workers are being kept home. I still go in on my regular shift.

Being deemed essential is both a blessing and a curse.


5 posted on 03/30/2020 10:58:23 AM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighbourhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn.)
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To: Nifty

Now what will the foodie snobs do?


6 posted on 03/30/2020 10:58:30 AM PDT by xp38
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To: dfwgator

That is what I am thinking. Fire and replace almost immediately. Millions of newly unemployed are practically begging for jobs.


7 posted on 03/30/2020 10:58:43 AM PDT by Codeflier (Covid-19 taught me: Two types of "conservatives", frightened safety seekers vs. freedom lovers)
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To: Codeflier

Amazon and Walmart are advertising for help all day long on our local tv stations (Indianapolis) if anybody is interested.


8 posted on 03/30/2020 11:00:15 AM PDT by nascarnation
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To: Nifty

WaPo Bezoslib and AmazonSeattle must be in favor of this pro-worker program, right?


9 posted on 03/30/2020 11:00:42 AM PDT by Uncle Miltie (Messaging to Snowflakes: They stole it from Bernie AGAIN!)
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To: dfwgator

There’s approximately 3 employees at my local Whole Foods. Not exactly going to look like On the Waterfront when they strike.


10 posted on 03/30/2020 11:01:27 AM PDT by miss marmelstein (Prayers for Rush)
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To: Nifty

All groceries should look at how HEB has handled this crises.

Even Schwarzenegger made a positive comment the other day.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/texas/2020/03/28/h-e-b-for-president-wide-praise-for-grocer-after-texas-monthly-profile-details-preparations-response-to-covid-19/


11 posted on 03/30/2020 11:01:36 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd (Click my screen name for an analysis on how HIllary wins next November.)
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To: Nifty

Bezo’s needs to protect his employee’s.


12 posted on 03/30/2020 11:01:51 AM PDT by tennmountainman (eThe Liberals Are Baby Killers)
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To: Nifty

Whole Foods should just replace them. Unemployment is high right now.

I am all for them being able to wear masks, gloves, stay home if sick, to be clear.


13 posted on 03/30/2020 11:02:19 AM PDT by Persevero (I am afraid propriety has been set at naught. - Jane Austen)
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To: Don W

I am so grateful to be essential! I need the money and also feel like I’m helping keep our dying economy on life support.


14 posted on 03/30/2020 11:03:22 AM PDT by Persevero (I am afraid propriety has been set at naught. - Jane Austen)
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To: Nifty

It also shows that it’s the leftists who were the ones that are pushing this hoax with their irrational fears.


15 posted on 03/30/2020 11:04:04 AM PDT by bort
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To: Nifty

Okay.


16 posted on 03/30/2020 11:04:18 AM PDT by Howie66 ("...Against All Enemies, Foreign and Democrat.....")
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To: xp38

ESAD?


17 posted on 03/30/2020 11:05:03 AM PDT by Howie66 ("...Against All Enemies, Foreign and Democrat.....")
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To: Nifty

Judging by the number of empty parking spaces there were around the Whole Foods store down here - before the virus hit - I would think they may not be in the strongest position to make waves.


18 posted on 03/30/2020 11:06:58 AM PDT by I cannot think of a name
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To: Nifty

Here in LA there have been plenty of grocery chains that have had infected employees..just recently the Costco in Marina Del Rey..heck I worry more about the store employees passing the virus around than the average Joe going to the store to pick up TP


19 posted on 03/30/2020 11:07:05 AM PDT by Sarah Barracuda
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To: Nifty
Dear WF Workers,

Your employer is experimenting with cashier-less stores. You might want to make yourself look MORE valuable to them as they decide which cashiers are non-essential. Just saying.

20 posted on 03/30/2020 11:07:12 AM PDT by Veggie Todd (Voltaire: "Religion began when the first scoundrel met the first fool".)
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