California's latest

[arcticpenguin]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,7555161%255E1702,00.html

70,000 supermarket workers are on strike in California. I hope residents stocked up on food. Time to break into that earthquake kit, perhaps?

[renata]

We knew this was coming, so yes, I stocked up on some food basics. Unfortunately, they are major supermarkets. Luckily for me personally, I shop for my groceries at farmer's markets so I am going to be OK. Also, there are many stores that have made separate agreements or are non union operations- Gelson's, Whole Foods, Bristol Farms and Trader Joes. With the exception of Trader Joes, they are much more expensive, though and not a very good option for the average family. And Trader Joes are not available everywhere. I am not going to suffer from this much, but many people really will.
It is very difficult to judge who is right or wrong in this. Union has made concessions, but stores really say they need to slash their benefits because they operate on thin margins and as Walmart is coming here, they need to make cuts everywhere. I know this, though- I have been shopping at my Pavillions for almost 5 years and I am not crossing picket lines.