There is a strike that we may want to take notice of. Borders Books.

[JanMichael]

The Union site: http://www.bordersunion.org/

The Activism thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=106&topic_id=3781

Brass tacks folks: Either we walk the walk and support collective bargaining, especially in these wage/benefit depressing times of cheap labor CONservatives, or we accept money/marketshare/Corporate Dominance over people.

I choose to support these workers.

[CityZen-X]

1. Real American's......

Real American's do not cross picket lines! Support all labor, it's good for the people, it's good for the country.

[Muddleoftheroad]

13. That ignores common sense

I cross some, follow others. Depends on the cause and my feelings about it.

[dobak]

2. kick

from a Border's employee

[JanMichael]

4. Hey! I've got some questions for ya'.

I worked at a Borders a few years back, 1997-1998, and while it was a pretty cool job, I was in charge of the Literature section, there were some weird quirks that threw mw off.

1. Really low full-time starting wages.

2. 3 months, I think, before Health Insurance buy in was allowed.

3. I don't think anybody (full-time) in the store got two consecutive days off. Weird.

4. "Full time" was counted in an odd manner, I foget ho though, perhaps you could refresh my memory?


That said I liked, really liked, the job itself. The working environment was really excellant too. Better yet the people that they hired were usually Lefties anyway:-)

[dobak]

6. sure...

1 - Yes, but not as bad as alot of other retail places. -- They pay as well as B&N

2 - Yes, but again, that is standard for most retail. Same as B&N

3 - No, we have quite a few full timers who get back-to-back days off.

4 - Full time is 35+ hours

----

I work in Minneapolis

The other store beside Ann Arbor that is represented by a Union.

We haven't talked strike yet (which is good news) and are looking to negotiate a second round of contract talks.

----

I really like it too. The pay sucks, but the employees and management (at my store) are pretty cool and the job is fun.

[JanMichael]

8. You work a Union store?

1 - Yes, but not as bad as alot of other retail places. -- They pay as well as B&N

B&N doesn't pay well either. Borders is a MUCH better customer service store too. IIRC when a customer came to an employee with a book that they couldn't locate, the employee actually took them to the book, ie. found it for them! B&N is an ad hoc system. If the kid behind the counter likes you he walks you to the book. If he doesn't he pints "Over there".

2 - Yes, but again, that is standard for most retail. Same as B&N

Well as a National Healthcare proponant I think they both suck equally.

- No, we have quite a few full timers who get back-to-back days off.

How is that determined? If it's easy to arrange then they've improved from my Tampa experiance.

4 - Full time is 35+ hours

IIRC there was some difficulty for some "Full-Time" employees to make that time thus not get the opportunity to participate in most benefit programs. Remember this was in Tampa. Better yet, Florida, a "Right to Work State"...

"I work in Minneapolis. The other store beside Ann Arbor that is represented by a Union."

That probably explains the differences in experiances.

"We haven't talked strike yet (which is good news) and are looking to negotiate a second round of contract talks."

I wish you all the best!

"I really like it too. The pay sucks, but the employees and management (at my store) are pretty cool and the job is fun."

Look, I liked it the same way you did (Honestly, other than Jordan Marsh back in the 80's it's a great memory), imagine how different it would be though if it was "Democratized"? It isn't difficult, just do the numbers...

[dobak]

9. yep

Our store is represented by UFCW Local #789

[JanMichael]

10. Well I wish you all the best of luck dealing with the absentee management.

My immediate managers were cool too, it was the faceless ones that made life odd.

Good luck with the negotiations. I'll do whatever I can for you guys, which is shit really, regardless of the outcome.

[knight_of_the_star]

12. Union Brother!

Good luck, I'm with you all the way! UFCW Local #135!

[bordersunion]

14. local 789

Do you think the Ann Arbor strike will affect your negotiations?

[dobak]

17. dunno???

Depends on what happens with the strike..

If it works and they get a decent contract, maybe it will help.

If it ends up failing and they go back to work without a contract, it can only hurt us.

----

I would guess that we (our store) have little chance of striking.

We have so many stores in Minneapolis/St.Paul area that the strike would have little, if any effect on business because Borders would be able to easily staff our store with employees from the local stores.

Plus, our store is old and does not have a cafe or music department. I worry that a prolonged strike or labor problems may cause them to shut our store down. While we perform over "plan", our sales are small compared to many stores.

----

Do you work for Borders, or are you just a supporter?

[JanMichael]

18. I told you GD was better for exposure:-)

See?

[rucky]

20. UFCW 555 Checking In

Until these big chains get organized, I'm supporting the mom & pops like I've always done.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. The upshot is...here in Detroit, guess where the new multi million dollar

Borders store is located??? In the brand spanking new Compuware building!!!:puke:

[mmonk]

5. Isn't that Karmanos's company?

[Palacsinta]

7. Thnks for the info

Having worked 14 years retail, I'm with these guys. I'll check out the sites.

[JanMichael]

11. Thank you!

Once we get a real Labor Movement in Retail the "Game" is up.

I put "game" in quotations because those fuckers think this is all a game when it's NOT. It's about PEOPLE dammit, not Poker!

[bordersunion]

15. Powells Books strike

Forgot to mention that Powells Bookstore workers are working without a contract and will be holding a one-day strike.

http://www.ilwulocal5.com/index.php

[mitchum]

16. kicking (against the pricks)

[Digger]

19. I will never

cross a picket line.

I'm retired and never have much loose money so I like to browse at Borders, but if there are strikers I'll hang out with them and show my support. I'm an old union man; been on the bricks many times.

Good luck.

[BiggJawn]

21. I'm in.

No more Borders for me for "The Duration"...

[Donna Zen]

22. Union here!

Thanks for the heads up.

[JanMichael]

23. kick

:kick:

[JanMichael]

24. my LAST kick...

:kick:


<snore>