[Dion]

Originally Posted by jammies

That still doesn't explain why the offer got rejected. Something is missing here; a few hotheads don't win a vote by themselves. That's why I don't trust what the media is reporting or the motives of anyone involved - on the surface it seems like these workers are acting completely irrationally, and that is almost never the case

In an article I posted some members interviewed on the picket line felt all the issues weren't properly addressed. Which leads to the question of why elect a president who will act on your behalf and give his recommendations if you're not going to trust him.

If they didn't want an escalation, why not renegotiate? Or, for that matter, cave in? Or let the union go on their rotating strike? Not "wanting" to escalate is on about the same level as my not "wanting" to have to work for a living - in both cases, there's a reason why the action doesn't seem to suit the purported attitude.

How do you renegotiate when the union gives you notice they are going to strike?

Why didn't the union say we'll keep negotiating and rescind notice of strike action?

Remember the union was the first to start the ball rolling. I'm sure the company was quite willing to continue negotiations until the union forced thier hands with that strike notice.

A rotating strike would do more damage than what the union is doing now. The company had every right to protect it's interests in view of the unions intentions.

As for caving in I think they already did with that wage offer to the employees. It was a huge concession on the part of the company considering the economic times.

Yah of course it's PR. You have two sides telling a story and neither of them makes much sense, which to me means we're not getting the real reasons behind the strike or behind the company's offer. Is the 40 hour work week THAT important to the company that they won't budge on it? How are they running their operations now if it is that critical?

After reading the Presidents message to the employees i'm inclined to believe what the company is saying.

And how is the company not making any sense? It's pretty clear to me what they're doing and what the employees were offered. The articles I posted outlines that.

The 40 hour thing was something the employees didn't want to give up. The attitude is once you give it you'll never get it back. Then there's the irrational fear that the company is out to screw them. It's business descion by the company to want them to work 3 more hours a week but the employees refuse to see it that way.

As for the company and the 40 hour work week i'll bet it has something to do with not having to hire more employees as the volume of business increases. Then there's the added bonus of not having to replace someone when they quit or retire.

Why did the union leaders agree to a deal that was so decisively rejected by the rank and file? Why is the entire corporate culture so apparently dysfunctional?

I suspect they looked all the facts with a rational mind. Tough economic times and an excellent wage offer made it a no brainer.

Then you have the members verbally abusing those on the negotiating comittee - something I never saw when working for Safeway. Doesn't sound to me the members were thinking rationaly when they voted. Clearly there was no trust there.