Settlement near in (CA) Grocery Strike

[robcon]

Settlement Near in Grocery Strike
A deal in the nearly 20-week-old dispute could come as soon as today. Sources say newly hired workers would be put on a lower-wage tier.

By James F. Peltz and Melinda Fulmer, Times Staff Writers

"Grocery store and union negotiators neared a deal Wednesday to end the California supermarket strike and lockout, according to people familiar with the talks.

A settlement could be reached as early as today, they said, although they cautioned that negotiators continued to struggle with certain aspects of the contract they were sketching out under the supervision of a federal mediator.

The deal on the table would trim supermarket employees' health benefits and create a second tier of new workers who would earn less than those hired before the dispute began, according to sources who know the rough details of the proposed contract...."

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-super26feb26,1,4915128.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[pmbryant]

1. I really hope those aren't the terms of the settlement

From the article (emphasis added):

At the daily sessions of the latest round of talks that started Feb. 11, the two sides have come to terms on key issues, the sources said. The UFCW has accepted the two-tier system under which newly hired employees would receive lower wages and lesser benefits than the 59,000 union members in Central and Southern California who were idled when the strike and lockout began, people close to the talks said.

Sources also said the two sides were considering a wage hike for employees hired before the dispute began, or at least providing them with two lump-sum payments during the contract. In the last formal offer from the companies, made Dec. 2, there was no pay increase.

I really hope this isn't the settlement, as it would appear to be a complete cave-in to what I thought the whole purpose of this strike was: to keep these jobs as 'living-wage' jobs, and not let them deteriorate into 'working-poor' jobs.

But of course I am not involved so I am unaware of the details.

:shrug:

--Peter

[rucky]

2. That's pretty much what our Local agreed to

last November. Something similar. Wages stayed (no COL adj), but health benefits are now on 3-tier system by seniority: Deductible went up 50% for tier 1, but tier 2 still has an HMO option w/ no deductible so that's not so bad, pricewise. Jury's still out on the quality of care, tho. Tier 3 is a mediocre optical & dental buy-in.

[progressivebydesign]

5. Hmmm our health insurance for a family of 3 w/deductible is 600 per month.

I about died laughing when I read that they were bitching about paying 20 per month for singles, and 60 per for families for health care... I would have died laughing, but I can't afford my deductibles to see a doctor.

[joeunderdog]

9. Being resentful of those with better health plans is the RW way.

Get people advocating for the lowest common denominator rather than demanding healthcare for all. Divide and conquer.

Call healthcare "a perk." Call universal healthcare "socialism." Get people mad that others have it when they don't. That schtick is working very well right now.

[lordwhorfin]

16. Oh thanks so much for your bitter opinions

So when we all work for Wall-Mart with no negotiated protections and live in shantys you'll feel quite satisfied, eh?

Anti-union shill.

[nolabels]

12. It don't matter to me, but that two tier system is a way to bully unions

Our local has that two tier and the way it got written up in the last contract really sucked for new hires. A 3 or 4 dollar difference for the new hires in less technical jobs. They can move up even with the rest if they get get the training, and slot comes open for them to move up though. As far Medical and the rest, everybody gets the same

[wryter2000]

3. Oh, dear

I so want for those people to go back to work, but this doesn't sound good.

[Muddleoftheroad]

4. If this is true

It's a classic example of unions selling out new workers for veterans. Yet another reason to NEVER join a union.

[Ernesto]

6. What planet are you from?

Just wondering? .... I guess I really made a huge mistake years ago when I joined the Sheet Metal Workers International Association. Heck, that annual $70k retirement for the rest of my life really must have nothing to do with my UNION membership, after all... Got any more pearls of wisdom?

[Muddleoftheroad]

7. That was then, this is now

This settlement sells newbies down the river for veterans. Time and time again, veteran union members are getting taken care of at the detriment to new members.

[BayCityProgressive]

8. they wouldnt

have any of the benefits they DO HAVE if it weren't for unions.

[Muddleoftheroad]

14. That's one hell of a rationalization

The union is seling them up, down and across the river. Newcomers are not welcome in union land.

[lordwhorfin]

17. Total and complete nonsense

The workers are maxed out, and the grocery chains will continue to hemmorage profits FOREVER to break their resolution. Capital has won, by destroying the ability of the union to go on fighting.

You hate organized labor, as is manifestly clear from everything I have ever seen you write on DU. But guess what? We'll keep fighting, regardless.

[nolabels]

18. Capital didn't break crap, the free market did

The people in So Cal supported these union people to the max, the bad or good thing was there were many other stores to take ones business to.

Both sides probably realizing that the whole thing was getting bypassed and marginalized.

Mostly this whole strike could have never went on if there was such a thing as universal health care for all. Put that one specifically on the HMO / insurance company's with a taste of lawyers, medical corporations and pharmaceutical companies

[Ernesto]

11. Oh Really?

I retired 6 mos ago..... The bottom line is that all UNIONS are not created equal and niether are the industries that they are associated with.... The term "NEVER join" was inappropriate in this context.

[Clovis Sangrail]

13. riiiiiiggggghhttt

all the unions are the same.... I get it.
Just like all <insert racial epithet here> are the same.

To everybody who thinks unions have "outlived their usefulness":

Do you really believe for a moment that (some of) the large companies are now paying people decent wages out of the goodness of their hearts?!?

How does this explain maquiladores? The only reason we don't have them here is organized labor.
I suppose the real reason companies outsource to India is because the care about their employees.

Corporations exist for ONE reason and one reason ONLY.
PROFIT.

If it is profitable to screw you, and they can get away with it, THEY WILL.

[nolabels]

15. So is that an indication the words WHORE and CORPORATION..........

should be used interchangeably >>>>>>>>>>ding<<<<<<<<<<<

[joeunderdog]

10. Unions made the weekend. They hold up private sector pay.

Don't judge unions on the basis of individual bad contracts. They are still a very positive element of the workforce.

BTW, I am dead set against selling out the next generation of employees during contracts. Management loves this stuff. It's a quick out for the striking workers, but a longterm loss for the union.