Comments on: I will not cross that picket line.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:27:00 +0000

Lovely post, Donna. I’m glad there wasn’t a strike. Sometimes I find refuge from the chaos at the grocery store, where everything centers around basic needs for a loaf of bread, jug of milk, and a stick of butter. There is something very Zen about the up and down journey through each aisle that helps my mind let go of the fact that my child’s school is once again in danger of seeing further cuts, that my legislature is overrun by ideological, short-sighted, homophobic jackholes. There is something very necessary and slightly sublime in today’s current economy, where pedicures and massages are things of dreams, that refuge and relief can be found in the simplest, most basic places, staffed by people who get where you’re at because at the end of their day, they are right along side you in chaos. So I am glad today that they had advocacy on their side, that they ultimately won out. Today their victory is one I too can tuck away to help me navigate through the rest of the chaos we all face on those very dark days looming straight ahead.

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:25:08 +0000

I am also very glad that there will not be a strike. My alternatives would have been Bashas or Walmart – not really good choices for this progressive girl.

By: Eli_Blake

Eli_Blake — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:42:16 +0000

Luckily it appears that there will be no strike.

However I did mail a letter to the AZ Republic (which there will now be no reason to publish) stating that I too, refuse to cross a picket line.

The concessions that were being asked for had nothing to do with the health of the company either– Kroger earned $1.25 billion last year and is in a recession-resistant industry. Rather it was about them trying to leverage the bad economy into givebacks.

I was in Safeway today in Holbrook after the settlement was announced and it was great to congratulate the employees there and they told me they were grateful for my support.

By: Timmys Cat

Timmys Cat — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:19:21 +0000

I agree.Tthese are people needing to most likely feed a child or keep a home current. This isn”t about them. This is about a retailer who has taken the profits from your area, and basically shown you that bottom dollar is more important than your satisfaction and loyalty.

This cat does not understand the tone deaf of some companies lately.
My thoughts is you will survive by a loyal core, who understand a short handed boo-boo, but want to see that familiar face saying “Sorry”.

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:14:43 +0000

Thank you TC. You get it. It’s about more than just unions or strikes. It’s about whether or not we value our community and the people who live in it. Like I said, I feel for the people who will line up to take the scab jobs. I’m not angry with them. But we have gone from being stakeholders to fungible commodities and I wish people who say stupid things like “you should just be grateful you have a job” would wake up and realize that.

By: Timmys Cat

Timmys Cat — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:45:05 +0000

I admire that. There is practical and there is cheap. Cheap will always make you feel that way. I hear your point. I feel as if I’ve almost personally kept the AJ’s at Ray/Priest afloat. (yeah,yeah, i know AJs) But it is nice to have hard working people say to you
” Do you want it like last time?”
“Where is…?”
“We’ve gotten some fresh…like you like.”
It is a nice relationship where I do spend money, but I’m also helping keep a store open that I enjoy, which means I get to talk to people I’ve known for years.

I think these chains tend to see customers as commoditiies. I think the suits tend to forget that the familiar smile from the butcher, deli, cashier covers a lot of ground.

By: Elizabeth Rogers

Elizabeth Rogers — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:58:29 +0000

I worked for Fry’s in high school. They deserve better.