350 Safeway workers locked out at Edmonton ice cream plant and warehouse

[Dion]

Kellsey said the company is disappointed that the membership rejected an offer of roughly 14 per cent over three years.

"Obviously we're very disappointed that the membership rejected the offer and the recommended settlement that was voted on," she said. "We believe the offer that provided wage increases of $2.65 over three years was a very generous offer to these members."

One of the key issues in dispute is Safeway's attempt to increase the work week to 40 hours from the 37 hours the warehouse employees now work.

Full-time senior people in these jobs have been making about $20 per hour, while the part-time rate is around $18. The workers rejected an offer that the union leadership had endorsed

O'Halloran said he's expecting a long strike, but at this point he's reluctant to talk about his strategy, including reaching out to other unions

http://www.google.com/hostednews/can...4-MUsnf4IMPbsA

[CMPunk]

They're complaining about 3 extra hours?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

They're complaining about 3 extra hours?

Turning down 14% over 3 years is more insane. Guess they forgot a recession is going on and people are losing thier jobs

I give em maybe a month on the picket line before the bills start piling up and have to be paid. Making 8 to 10 dollars an hour in strike pay isn't going to feed the cat let alone pay the mortgage and other expenses.

The hilarious part is the union prez actually recommended that the members accept the offer.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Dion

Turning down 14% over 3 years is more insane. Guess they forgot a recession is going on and people are losing thier jobs

I give em maybe a month on the picket line before the bills start piling up and have to be paid. Making 8 to 10 dollars an hour in strike pay isn't going to feed the cat let alone pay the mortgage and other expenses.

The hilarious part is the union prez actually recommended that the members accept the offer.

Sounds like our Union. We rejected the first offer...but then the lawyers and union heads politely suggested that if we didn't take it, we were idiots. A raise in a recession is never a bad thing

[Dion]

Originally Posted by CMPunk

Sounds like our Union. We rejected the first offer...but then the lawyers and union heads politely suggested that if we didn't take it, we were idiots. A raise in a recession is never a bad thing

Yep! A raise is good.

The other sad thing is the employees actually believe that if they block and slow down enough trucks the company will cave in to thier demands. What they forget is that company has a lot of money and can afford some losses and delays while they wait it out until employees personal bills start mounting and need to be paid.

Then there's the issue of wages lost that are never recovered during a strike.

[Byrns]

I was involved in the Safeway strike about 10 years ago. We were out 10 weeks and didn't get much more than what was previously offered. I didn't care though because I got to study and do homework while on the picket line. Plus we had a BBQ every night.

[killer_carlson]

this union is going to get destroyed in the PR department.

Wow.

In this economy.

Unreal.

There will be no shortage of people lined up to take their jobs as well....

[Sliver]

I would love to be a CEO of a company going toe to toe with a union. I wouldn't give one inch...would rather see my company go tits up than give them one penny beyond fair.

[CaptainCrunch]

We hateses unions

[DuffMan]

Ever wonder why Safeway has the highest prices?

[Locke]

Who wants to be a scab?

[bradster57]

Originally Posted by Locke

Who wants to be a scab?

I'll do it for free groceries.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I would love to be a CEO of a company going toe to toe with a union. I wouldn't give one inch...would rather see my company go tits up than give them one penny beyond fair.

You may want to look up "Pyrrhic victory".

[troutman]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Ever wonder why Safeway has the highest prices?

So you don't have to stand in long lines with white trash?

[Dion]

Chances are if the strike goes on long enough Safeway will close down it's distribution centtre and contract that work out leaving the union workers on the unemployment line.

[Caged Great]

with the 3 extra hours, you get benefits that have to be paid out by law. It costs a lot more than the 14% raise.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

with the 3 extra hours, you get benefits that have to be paid out by law. It costs a lot more than the 14% raise.

Considering Safeway is the one pushing for the 40 hr work week vs the 37 they now work, I'm guessing they already provide those benefits.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

with the 3 extra hours, you get benefits that have to be paid out by law. It costs a lot more than the 14% raise.

Which is kinda baffling as to why the employees and the Union don't want to accept an increase in hours. Safeway wants to provide them with more hours and a 14% raise over three years. What's not to like about this proposal? My bet is there's something in there which makes their jobs less secure. But even still it's baffling they won't take the raise.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Locke

Who wants to be a scab?

I would do it just to spite those stupid workers. I did it last time when Safeway went on strike. Pathetic people. Yelling and screaming at old ladies walking to the store.

I loved getting fingered walking in and out of the store. I was hoping the strike would last for years.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Ever wonder why Safeway has the highest prices?

Doesn't Co-op own that title?