Union and grocery chains need to strike a compromise
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Our Newport-Mesa community has many markets affected directly or
indirectly by the grocery strike. The letters to the editors sections
have overflowed for weeks. This strike has generated a tempest in a
corner coffee-pot. However, let’s count the blessings:
1. An incentive to go to many different stores and try new
products.
2. An opportunity to meet new people and friendly employees.
3. Shop calmly and quietly without being crowded or run over by
carts.
4. Increased exercise while walking the aisles trying to find
favorite items.
5. Rapid checkout with no lines.
6. Monetary incentives just to walk into some store during
operating hours.
7. Fabulous bargains. You can purchase many items at a two-for-one
or four-for-one price.
8. Many “non-union” markets are cheaper.
9. A reaffirmation of the old notion that some of the people can
be fooled all of the time -- by union leaders.
10. An opportunity to greet your striking grocery workers at the
non-union stores where they shop.
This is a serious issue to those involved, and I mean no
disrespect. However, when the consequences of a strike are far more
disabling and harmful to the strikers than to the employers or
customers, it is time to call time out, agree on the rules and return
to the playing field.
MICHAEL ARNOLD GLUECK
Newport Beach
Alicia Robinson’s story “Pickets weather time on the line” on Jan.
5 provided a thoughtful analysis of the grocery store strike and the
economic pressures on the strikers. Strikers must realize that the
changing economic circumstances argue for them to work with grocery
management rather than against grocery management.
The reason is clear: Grocery stores as we know them today may not
be in existence in 15 years.
Grocery management recognizes that there is a fundamental threat
to their continued operation. They must respond with innovation and
labor cost-cutting. Double-digit health cost increases threaten the
very thin profit margin typically found in the grocery business.
Given margin pressure, grocery stores must respond by reducing
operating costs, one of which is labor.
It is in United Food Commercial Worker’s best interest, and
long-term stability, to join with grocery management in adapting to
these market pressures. The very existence of grocery stores as we
know them is at risk. It is absolutely in labor’s interest to
cooperate rather than confront management.
JON DECKARD
Corona del Mar
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