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Teamsters Join Calif. Supermarket Strike
Associated Press (via Yahoo News) ^ | 24 November 2003 | Jeremiah Marquez

Posted on 11/24/2003 11:16:37 AM PST by CounterCounterCulture

Teamsters Join Calif. Supermarket Strike

By JEREMIAH MARQUEZ, Associated Press Writer

EL MONTE, Calif. - The Teamsters union said Monday its members will stop delivering groceries to three Southern California supermarket chains where grocery clerks have been on strike or been locked out for more than a month.

The move effectively shuts off supplies to Vons, Ralphs and Albertsons stores during the critical Thanksgiving shopping week.

The action, taken after the striking clerks moved to expand their picket lines to regional distribution centers, was called a "silver bullet" by Jim Santangelo, president of Teamsters Joint Council 42 in El Monte.

"If this doesn't end it nothing will," Santangelo said of the labor dispute that began on Oct. 11.

Teamsters have refused to cross picket lines at individual stores, forcing management and non-striking workers to unload trucks.

About 70,000 grocery workers are either on strike against Vons or locked out by Albertsons and Ralphs stores, affecting nearly 860 stores from San Luis Obispo to San Diego.

Health care coverage is a main issue in the conflict with Kroger Co., owner of the Ralphs chain, Vons owner Safeway Inc. and Albertsons Inc.

A federal mediator brought both sides together two weeks ago for the first time since the dispute began but there have been no indications a compromise is near.

Union and supermarket officials were barred from commenting about the negotiations, said John Arnold, spokesman for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: albertsons; goons; kroger; ralphs; safeway; supermarkets; thugs; unions; vons
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Union goons going all out now
1 posted on 11/24/2003 11:16:38 AM PST by CounterCounterCulture
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To: CounterCounterCulture
Isn't this "linking" of strikes with outside unions a violation of Taft-Hartley?
2 posted on 11/24/2003 11:18:27 AM PST by pogo101
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To: CounterCounterCulture
If this doesn't end it nothing will," Santangelo said of the labor dispute that began on Oct. 11.

I'm rooting for nothing.
3 posted on 11/24/2003 11:19:35 AM PST by edwords
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To: pogo101
a violation of Taft-Hartley?

It raises some interesting issues. Expect a court order shortly.

4 posted on 11/24/2003 11:27:54 AM PST by ArmstedFragg
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To: pogo101
Good question.
5 posted on 11/24/2003 11:30:08 AM PST by CounterCounterCulture (The bullets inside are very hot. Why do I feel so cold?)
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To: CounterCounterCulture
If anything, this is simply union thuggery. I'm sorry, but many people would love to have the health benefits they are whining about for only $60 a month. These people need to get a grip on reality.
6 posted on 11/24/2003 11:31:40 AM PST by scarface367
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To: ArmstedFragg
On further reflection:

If the Teamsters contract with the suppliers gives them the individual right to refuse to cross a picket line and the workers line at the distributor is an "informational picket", this may squeak through. It's a hanger, though. I still suspect it'll be in court quickly.

7 posted on 11/24/2003 11:35:29 AM PST by ArmstedFragg
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To: CounterCounterCulture
The local Tom Thumb grocery store in Plano (north of Dallas) was handing out flyers this morning saying that they were advised by the UFCW union locals in Dallas to expect picketing around their store.

Tom Thumb employees are not unionized... but UFCW does represent Safeway employees in other states. Looks try they're trying to spread some of the inconvenience around.

8 posted on 11/24/2003 11:42:16 AM PST by ken in texas (Tag line space for rent...)
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To: Scenic Sounds
I was fixin to shop at 6:00am tomorrow morning to avoid the crowds. Now, I wonder? Maybe I'd better go tonight, ya think?
9 posted on 11/24/2003 11:45:06 AM PST by onyx
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To: CounterCounterCulture
I found this at http://www.hnn.us:
To the Wagner Act's list of prohibited management practices, the Taft-Hartley Act added a list of prohibited labor union practices. These practices included secondary boycotts (when a union induces employees to strike against their employer to get him or her to stop doing business with another employer with whom the real dispute exists); sympathy strikes or boycotts (attempting to compel an employer, other than one's own, to recognize or bargain with an unrecognized union--a practice anti-labor groups often called "blackmail picketing"); and jurisdictional strikes and boycotts (attempting to force an employer to give work to members of one particular union instead of another).

10 posted on 11/24/2003 11:48:35 AM PST by pogo101
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To: CounterCounterCulture
Attempting to starve the populace into submission ahead of the holiday isn't a good way to win over public sympathy.
11 posted on 11/24/2003 11:56:26 AM PST by ambrose
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To: pogo101
the Taft-Hartley Act added a list of prohibited labor union practices....

Taft-Hartley just says it's illegal to engage in unfair labor practices. The practices are actually specified in 8b(4) of the National Labor Relations Act. The section you cited covers an organizational picket, and wouldn't apply in this instance.

12 posted on 11/24/2003 12:12:35 PM PST by ArmstedFragg
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To: CounterCounterCulture
Just what Arizona needs - another flood of refugees from the PRC. This batch will be starving, not just broke,

13 posted on 11/24/2003 1:04:34 PM PST by BlazingArizona
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To: onyx

;-)

14 posted on 11/24/2003 1:17:52 PM PST by Scenic Sounds (Pero treinta miles al resto.)
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To: CounterCounterCulture
And now, a word from Allan Sherman:

(Sung to "Beautiful Dreamer")

Byoo-de-ful teamsters
Please let me join.
Can't drive a truck
But I'm willin to loin.....

15 posted on 11/24/2003 1:20:56 PM PST by Lizavetta
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To: Scenic Sounds
LOL! Yes, Ralph's it shall be. Tonight, not tomorrow morning. I'm taking 'muscle' with me in the form of my 6'2" 240lbs 'toned' son.
16 posted on 11/24/2003 1:33:47 PM PST by onyx
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To: ambrose
Attempting to starve the populace into submission ahead of the holiday isn't a good way to win over public sympathy.

That's what I've been telling the picketers at my neighborhood Vons store. The odd thing is I don't recognize any of the people carrying signs. It looks to me like most of the young picketers are rent-a-bodies. If the union can pay for that I think the members can afford $50 or$60 extra bucks a month for a very generous medical plan. Mine costs nearly $300 and it's only supplemental coverage.

17 posted on 11/24/2003 4:44:04 PM PST by Bernard Marx
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To: CounterCounterCulture
Does anyone know the percentage of truckers in the US who are Teamsters?
18 posted on 11/24/2003 4:49:57 PM PST by eleni121
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To: eleni121
Does anyone know the percentage of truckers in the US who are Teamsters?

I am answering my own question: 20%

Can you imagine the damage to the economy if Teamsters decide to call a nationwide strike?

19 posted on 11/24/2003 4:52:05 PM PST by eleni121
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To: eleni121; All
Contingency Plans: Safeway (Vons) Shipping from Denver facilities. Ralphs, delivering to LA from Arizona. Albertsons, delivering from Nevada and Arizona.

All vendors (suppliers) have been called into the distribution centers to slowly re-start operations. A few stores at first, but more and more as temporary employees begin to get efficient. Temporary agencies are providing a few people at the start and will ramp up to meet the needs.

The highly computerized (aka "simplified") methods of modern order selection greatly reduce the need for highly skilled warehouse employees. 3rd party trucking firms will handle delivery to the stores until, like the facilities, temporary employees are hired and certified.

The Teamsters just wiped themselves out.

20 posted on 11/24/2003 8:48:39 PM PST by Partisan Hack
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