(no subject)
Yankees fans can bite me. Enough said.
~~~
So, that potential strike I mentioned in my last entry? Yeah...6pm Friday is the deadline to sign the new contract or there will be a strike/lockout.
We've been without a contract since Halloween. (It originally expired like a year ago, and has been extended up untill Oct. 31st.) From what I've seen from both the UFCW Local 99 and from Fry's, I don't think either side is telling the full truth about the matter. I think the full truth is a combination of what both sides are saying, plus what they're both leaving out. Both sides are trying to gain backing from employees and customers at this point.
As a Greeter, I am uneligible to join the Union even if I wanted to. So if a strike occurs against Fry's, I will be working.
Both Fry's food stores and Safeway food stores throughout Arizona are negotiating with the UFCW for a new contract. There's a couple of sticking points that the Union will not budge from. Mostly dealing with health benefits and who pays what, as well as raises. And they are pushing for a strike to force Fry's in particular to concede to their demands. (I've heard very little about Safeway so far. I only know they are under the same contract.)
If a new contract is not signed by 6pm Friday evening, the Union will strike against one company or the other. The one they strike against will continue to operate as best it can with non-Union employees, Union-employees who choose to cross the picket lines, and, at least in Fry's case, with temporary replacement workers they are hiring and training now. (Again, I don't know what Safeway's plans are. I've seen the ads in the paper for temporary replacement workers for Fry's but nothing for Safeway.)
The company that the Union does not strike against will be on lockout. Meaning the stores will be closed and locked, and the employees, union or not, will be out of a job, and without a paycheck, for the duration of the strike.
So, if the Union strikes against Fry's, we'll stay open and Safeway stores will be closed. If the Union strikes against Safeway, they will stay open and Fry's will be closed.
So I may be sitting on my ass with no income by this time next week.
I've heard mention of potential violence against Union members who cross the picket lines.
I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst at this point.
Any prayers, candles, good thoughts, etc. that you may be willing to offer up for a quick resolution to this would be greatly appreciated.
~~~
Oh, and we shut the bar down an hour early tonight 'cause there was no one but the bartender, the DJ, and myself (I barback) in the bar at 1am. :/
~~~
So, that potential strike I mentioned in my last entry? Yeah...6pm Friday is the deadline to sign the new contract or there will be a strike/lockout.
We've been without a contract since Halloween. (It originally expired like a year ago, and has been extended up untill Oct. 31st.) From what I've seen from both the UFCW Local 99 and from Fry's, I don't think either side is telling the full truth about the matter. I think the full truth is a combination of what both sides are saying, plus what they're both leaving out. Both sides are trying to gain backing from employees and customers at this point.
As a Greeter, I am uneligible to join the Union even if I wanted to. So if a strike occurs against Fry's, I will be working.
Both Fry's food stores and Safeway food stores throughout Arizona are negotiating with the UFCW for a new contract. There's a couple of sticking points that the Union will not budge from. Mostly dealing with health benefits and who pays what, as well as raises. And they are pushing for a strike to force Fry's in particular to concede to their demands. (I've heard very little about Safeway so far. I only know they are under the same contract.)
If a new contract is not signed by 6pm Friday evening, the Union will strike against one company or the other. The one they strike against will continue to operate as best it can with non-Union employees, Union-employees who choose to cross the picket lines, and, at least in Fry's case, with temporary replacement workers they are hiring and training now. (Again, I don't know what Safeway's plans are. I've seen the ads in the paper for temporary replacement workers for Fry's but nothing for Safeway.)
The company that the Union does not strike against will be on lockout. Meaning the stores will be closed and locked, and the employees, union or not, will be out of a job, and without a paycheck, for the duration of the strike.
So, if the Union strikes against Fry's, we'll stay open and Safeway stores will be closed. If the Union strikes against Safeway, they will stay open and Fry's will be closed.
So I may be sitting on my ass with no income by this time next week.
I've heard mention of potential violence against Union members who cross the picket lines.
I'm hoping for the best but expecting the worst at this point.
Any prayers, candles, good thoughts, etc. that you may be willing to offer up for a quick resolution to this would be greatly appreciated.
~~~
Oh, and we shut the bar down an hour early tonight 'cause there was no one but the bartender, the DJ, and myself (I barback) in the bar at 1am. :/