Nutball Scrawl Wall!

Don of the Dial

Cross the picket line and get a 10 lb bag of russett potatos for 57 cents!!!

Hamburger meat (good/fresh) - 99 cents a pound. OR so it says. I used my club card and the hamburger was 31 CENTS A POUND!!!

MISTAKE? I dunno.

Too good to pass up!
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A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!

Cheryl · JOHN AND KEN Security Goon Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2269

That is a great deal! Was it the regular ground beef, oh geez, never mind, at that price, grab it, the fattier meat is good for burgers and meatballs.

I went to Von's earlier. I didn't have time for lunch today, but I wanted something warm and fast, I decided to stop at the store for some micro soup, and bottled water. Honestly, I probably passed Pavillions and turned into Vons on purpose, I don't like the picketers there, Pavillions' are much nicer, I think I had a deep down desire to confront them, although, I would never challenge or provoke. For the first time since this strike started, I felt intimidated. There were quite a few pickets there, they were blowing those damn whistles. When I approached the entrance, they formed a line and marched with precision, right at me. There seemed to be alot of them today, then there were 2 guys dressed in black, don't know what they were, I'm thinking union goons. One of the men in black, had a video camera and was filming when people walked inside, I didn't look at them, so I don't know if I was filmed walking in. As I was walking in, the line came very close to me. For a minute there, I started to leave, but I came to my senses, I wasn't going to let them chase me away , besides, what could they do? hurt me? in broad daylight? in front of witnesses? That would be stupid, even for them. I walked in grabbed a few things and left. As I drove out, a large group of picketers around the driveway were glaring at me as I started to drive out, as usual, there was no quick exit onto Fair Oaks, so I had to wait a minute, but geez, this was the meanest looking bunch I've run across.

I was thinking of you guys here, I think I smiled slightly, which probably ticked them off even more. I was thinking, keep walking. Don would think I'm one of those shrinking violets

, I'll disappoint everybody, so I kept walking, but this was the one time I felt uncomfortable.
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Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.
-Milton Friedman

Don of the Dial · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 12:26 am Post subject:

I gotta say that it was FABULOUS eating delicious, 8 cent hamburgers to-nite! I made two and they were so damn good, I made two more. A pound of hamburger for 32 cents!!!! Just like the Depression. For all I know, they are grinding up choice cuts of meat rather than toss them out.

I am going to go over to VONS tomorrow and see these tough guys.

Those whistles are for morons. Jesus..is that the best they can come up with? Blowing a whistle? Why don't they just cry and scream?

Sounds like they were trying to be intimidating. Well, screw them. A video camera? What's the point? What are they going to do with the video? Hire hitmen to kill everybody on the tape?

I'd really like to get one of them to break my windsheild with a baseball bat or something. I need a new windsheild and my insurance company will replace it if it gets damaged, but not just because it is old.

Glad you continued onward, Christian Soldier!@

hahha....that would be great to sing as you walked in with a few friends!!!

HAHAHAHA....how about holding up a crucifix and chanting at them, "The power of Christ compells you! The power of Christ compells you!" like in "The Exorcist"?
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A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!

MrKABC · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 1:08 am Post subject:

Use a Jedi Mind Trick on them. Transverz can show you how!

Wave your hand in their face and say, "You WANT me to go in this store, don't you?"

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Life is tough... but it is a lot tougher if you are STUPID.

The Great God · Joined: 26 Oct 2003 Posts: 32 Location: Hesperia, CA

Don of the Dial · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 1:21 pm Post subject:

I love that 'space house' in the background.
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!

Transverz · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 2:34 pm Post subject:

How did you know I can perform the Jedi Mind Trick?! I never told anyone.

<waveshand> You did not know that </waveshand>

Wow, I just combined TWO geeky powers just then! Yikes!

And who the #ell is that guy?! haha...I checked out their site...hilarious pictures. Fans of SW, I presume?

Anyway, WE'RE PROUD OF YOU CHERYL! Cross them picket lines and show them that intimidation is for suckers. I've been crossing stupid picket lines since it started and they can all go to that warm place under the earth. I just keep a serious look and a strong stride inside the store. They feed on the weak, confused, and unsure. Video cameras?! I say you walk in there video taping THEM! Surely there has to be a law protecting people from this sort of distress and evidence of future retaliation! Then again, probably not...that would be real justice.

Anyway, I'm off to drive real fast through a Vons driveway in honor of Cheryl's stand. But this is "Jedi business...go back to your drinks..."

*that was THE WORST line hahaha*
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YOU *WILL* SUFFER ME!

Cheryl · JOHN AND KEN Security Goon Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2269

Thanks everybody! I feel so proud now!! Cool

I'll try the Jedi trick, but I don't have the magic wand.

Don of the Dial · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2003 8:30 pm Post subject:

"Onward, Christian Soldiers!" Yes, that would be funny.

I went to VONS about an hour ago. I sat in the car close to the entrance for about an hour listening to J&K and looking over the 16 picketers that were walking around (barely). people were going in. Old old timers, handicappers, adults, Gen X'ers. the whole range of folks.

I went in and some customer started to go in at the same time, but I wanted to go in by myself to see if anything was said or done. Semi-bad timing, cuz some union leader was out there getting a report from them and vice versa.

As i observed them, they had little to say to anyone coming in or going
out. Some loud mouthed Mexican guy told a few people that they could shop at Ralph's w/o crossing a picket and some ugly fat white chick was saying the same. maybe it was the 5 -5.30 slow time, because no one turned back - they just went in to shop.

on the way out, no one was even spoken to, not even a replacement worker girl going home.

the picketers were giving info to the rep about how management, i suppose, was treating the picketers. Some shifts were egtting a tougher time from management than others.

No one said anything to me either going in or coming out. Nothing.
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!

Cheryl · JOHN AND KEN Security Goon Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2269

No men in black??

no video cam? No whistles?

I guess the muscle works 9-5. Now their directing people to go to Ralph's? This is the wierdest strike I've ever seen. The picket lines abandon the largest chain, even sending the pharmacists back to work

How exactly does that help their cause?
_________________
Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.
-Milton Friedman

Don of the Dial · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 1:24 am Post subject:

Nope.

Not a single whistle or video cam in sound or sight. Some guys had black on, but it was jeans and t-shirts. More women there than men. After a while they were just sitting in the middle of the carts between the doors just talking.

It's over for them. Watch the customers increase as we get closer and closer to Thankgiving and then Christmas.

Actually, I was there even earlier just to take a drive through the lot and there were fewer picketers at that time (3.30 or so) than there were when I went to shop.

Some nice deals in there. Red apples-4 lbs for a buck. Cheap bread-69 cents. Pepsi stuff - 12 cans for 2 bucks...though they over charged me by a buck, so I get to go back.

Lots of interesting close-outs all over the store for nice savings.

These picketers were a fairly ugly looking lot, but VONS is a cheaper store.

Inside it was nice and empty and you could actually stop and look and shop w/o people banging into you or getting in the way.

I have no idea what their strategies are supposed to be or how they are supposed to function.

And I have to keep reminding myself that these picketers are really just stupid or uninformed dupes of their union. There just working stiffs like everyone else.

One picketerette came running towards my car as two of her friends came by to say 'hi' and she was all excited about her new hair style. Just a girl, really, maybe 19 at best.

The cold weather is going to get to them and here comes the rain on Friday and Saturday, they say.

Funny that the store allows the picketers to park their cars in the store parking lot. They should chase them out.
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!

Transverz · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 2:08 am Post subject:

What a bunch of jerks...

Anyway, if I am not mistaken, I think they are doing this "Shop at Ralphs" thing in order to divide the chains. If Ralphs starts getting all the business, then the other stores they are picketing will start to REALLY "feel the heat" because the chain they are supposedly sharing solidarity with is now doing well. Not only that, but that's supposedly also giving the place they are picketing even LESS business.

So basically, they are trying to break apart the togetherness of the chains. Man...what a bunch of losers. They put so much brain power and resources on something as stupid as this, but they all can't get them to go get some college degrees to move on to a better job. What the hell.

Oh well, more jobs for the smart people.

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YOU *WILL* SUFFER ME!

granny · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 47

Wish I could go shopping their this week as I could use some great bargains. Question: Are there any actual employees of the stores among the picketeers now or is it just the people the union hires to walk the lines? Wouldn't it be interesting to know what they pay them per hour for standing around in front of the store.

Transverz · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 11:08 am Post subject:

Judging by the look of these people, they probably aren't paying them much as they probably weren't DOING much before doing this.

Man, there is nothing worse than seeing people do stuff they a) obviously don't truly believe in but still act vehement about it, or b) obviously believe in but are just so deluded.

And I passed by the Albertson's by work during lunch yesterday. These suckers actually have set up a canopy-tent thing in the middle of the parking lot as their "headquarters" and look all busy and administrative! GEEZ! There is REALLY nothing worse than old cholos and ex-gangsters trying to look administrative. Again I ask, isn't there a law that prohibits these people from disrupting a business by taking up customers' parking spaces? Plus, isn't the property owned or rented by the supermarket THEIR property, and could therefore just shuck these thugs to the sidewalk, Far and Away - Tom Cruise, style?!

ARGH...
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YOU *WILL* SUFFER ME!

Cheryl · JOHN AND KEN Security Goon Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2269

I can't remember how much of their salary the union is paying, but yes Granny, it's too much. I'm also puzzled by the stores allowing their cars to be parked in the lot, and now tents?? I can't imagine why they can't tell them to get that thing the hell out of there! Since when do employers owe anybody, especially striking/locked out unions and their employees, access to the entire surrounding area of the store? I'm expecting a harder line from the market chains very soon.

The sooner the better.
_________________
Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.
-Milton Friedman

Don of the Dial · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 7:05 pm Post subject: I return to VONS

For my dollar they over charged me. Seems like they had the sign wrong or something. "2 12 packs for 4 dollars" was what the sign said, but they said it was wrong. Today it said "3 for 9 dollars". BUT..they admitted the sign was wrong yesterday and gave me a dollar back. Very obliging.

Different groups of picketers. The fat ugly white chick was there. Some Mexican dude told me I could shop at Ralplh's w/o crossing a picket and I told him I didn't like Ralph's. He said, "You like Vonds, huh?" and I said, 'no, I don't like Vons much either'. Convo ends.

The little tents are all over at many stores. Maybe they will get torches and march in the rainy darkness this weekend.

I was about to ask the manager why the strikers get to park in the parking lot, but 2 people walked up to him with questions, so I mozeyed along.

Most people are talking to management about incorrect pricing.

Exciting!
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!

granny · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 47

I think that compassion is in order for those poor people out there just trying to get by and support themselves and their families. I have no doubt that a group of conservatives could lead these people down the road to a better life and insure through an "association" acceptable wages, health care coverage, don't forget workman's comp, working hours including break and lunch times could and should be negotiated with their union employers.
Compassion conservatives in southern California, arise and go forth.

MrKABC · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 4:02 am Post subject:

One of the guys at work had his new Expedition keyed by a union goon after going in to an Albertsons. The auto adjuster estimated $1100 to repaint half the car.

Damned union thugs.

That just makes me want to shop at Albertsons all the more, and support the grocery chains against those idiot unions. Service has improved considerably since the strike began, and I am hoping that the grocery chains pull a Reagan and just fire the whole rotten lot of them.

Give 'em 5 days. Say to them, you either are back at work on Friday or don't come back at all. Bypass the union lockout laws by automating the checkout stands - they don't need benefits.

No sympathy here! I pay for my benefits - so should the union thugs.
_________________
Life is tough... but it is a lot tougher if you are STUPID.

granny · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 47

Mr KABC. I was attempting to be funny and didn't make my point clear. The way in works in our area is for the first few days of a strike at least a few of the employees are on the picket lines. Then the union employed thugs move in, after that you will see a different type of person on the picket lines. From what I have read, they are already there with a thug or two on the line with them to insure that they do their job. These people are picked up, usually from the raunchiest sections of town, and paid minimal wages to walk the lines because the employees of the super market won't do it for the pay they get. Most unions have a specific number of days that the members have to walk the lines.
That is the same method that they use for their so called protests. They have paid protest organizers and they pick up the bodies they want or need interspersed with their fully paid people.
I learned this from being in management and from my employees and their union reps. I also have a niece who works the national headquarters of a major union as one of the trainers for industrial envoirmental hazards. She doesn't like to discuss these fine points with her aunt. Remember the union protestors in Flordia during the past presidential election.
The scenario I described above actually happened but it was about 20 or more years ago. They were picketing a small town resturant trying to organize the workers. A friend of ours, after I explained how it works, got friendly with the picketeers and that Okie could talk a fly off a fresh cow pile. He was out there telling them that they were not being paid enough etc. etc. when the union thug showed up. This was in a little valley town called Tracy & they had brought them in from Stockton the next largest town. The union thug showed up during this and he was livid but this was a cafe of working guys who owned small businesses and shops--my husband auto repair was just across the street. When about ten of those guys come boiling out of the cafe he could only turn blue in the face. The strikers was gone within two to three days much to the amusement of everyone.

The Great God · Joined: 26 Oct 2003 Posts: 32 Location: Hesperia, CA

granny · Joined: 15 Oct 2003 Posts: 47

Isn't it nice to have someone treat you like a human being. Maybe that attitude will help break the back of the strike. You know we get the service we are willing to accept. I have a real attitude and I don't hesitate about telling the employees of the stores where I shop. I don't want to stand and listen to the checker and the bagger discussing their displeasure with their job and management. It happened to me just a few months ago at Albertson's. I looked that checker right in the eye and told her, I spend more money in the grocery store than anywhere else out of our budget. I don't come in here to listen to you bitch and gripe. The employees closed Lucky's stores in northern Calif.., not the union and not the management because you were so damn inconsiderate of the customers. Albertson's doesn't pay your wages and the union doesn't either. Me and all the others standing across this counter do and you either shut up or get me the manager up here. When the union wants to take your complaint to arbitration I will be there. The lady standing behind during this said, you are right! They apologized, checked me out but most importantly they won't forget and I do that whatever store I go into. I don't care if it is the bay area or down the street from you although that is not apt to happen. I have dealt with all kinds of people in my life but I see no reason not to be treated wtih courtesy unless I am not treating you with courtesy. My sons tell me I am going to get my ass kicked one of these days but it ain't happened yet.

Cheryl · JOHN AND KEN Security Goon Joined: 26 Aug 2002 Posts: 2269

I went to a local Albertson's at about 5:00 to pick up another prescription. I found the pharmacy closed. There were a couple of women picketing outside who seemed pleasant enough, so I asked them if they knew why it was closed, one of them said they started closing early on Saturday, and would be closed Sunday. I was obviously irritated since their recording still says "your prescription will be ready at 5:00 today" the woman said since this Sav-on is inside the Albertsons, their business had dropped, and they were closing early. She said to go to another Sav-on today, and ask them to transfer the Rx. I thanked her for the info, asked how she was holding up, she said she had been out of work for a month, wanted to return, and at this point, she could care less about paying a portion of medical. I asked her "well why not just go back then?" She said she would be targeted by the union, that they would demand repayment of the weekly strike pay she'd been receiving, and that co-workers would make her life a "living hell" if she crossed the line. I guess I looked sympathetic at that point, and she said, "I heard they'll be talking again Monday" I wished her luck(hey don't yell at me!!! She was really nice, I felt sorry for her) and she said "yeah, I'd like to just do my job, Christmas is coming"

Meanwhile, the temporary workers are making 19.00 an hour. Nice union. I know that UTLA is very vindictive when it comes to strikes. If we cross the line, we have our photo on signs, with very nasty comments, and they are posted repeatedly around the school, once the strike is over. I know some of the nicest teachers, that would turn into monsters, damaging cars of office employees who crossed the line, taking gate keys, and other essential keys out with them, refusing to turn them in, forget the damn union, it's a violation of law.

Would I cross the line? Hell no, forgive me folks, I have to work with these people. I'm already treated like I have leprosy, because I'm a known conservative. I've been there awhile, and am not afraid of confrontation, so I've earned some respect, but, crossing a picket line, they'd probably tar and feather me. I don't like the union, ok, "like" isn't strong enough, I hate that union. They use a big chunk of my dues to promote liberal political candidates that will do their bidding, ie:Davis. What I'd like them to do is improve the classroom. Support teachers, if a kid is disruptive, taking a huge chunk of a teacher's time on a daily basis, expell the student. Instead of hand-wringing, worrying about the rights of the one trouble maker, what about the rights of the rest of the students? The majority of students in a classroom have to give up instructional time due to one or two students, who don't want to be there. Also, cut the bureaucracy, get rid of the mountain of forms filled out by teachers on a daily basis, let them teach. I could go on, but I'll spare you, anyway, the union doesn't care about those things. The union is there to protect ineffective teachers, including uncaring and ineffective, even drunk(I've seen it) and those who fall asleep during class(I've seen that too). They also campaign for liberal candidates. That's what they care about.
_________________
Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.
-Milton Friedman

Crimson · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:11 am Post subject:

Hi Cheryl,

Hey, there's nothing wrong with talking to and being kind to picketers. Besides, she helped you out by the Sav-On prescription transfer suggestion.

Thanks for the Union info.

Don of the Dial · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:26 am Post subject:

Cheryl wrote:

She said she would be targeted by the union, that they would demand repayment of the weekly strike pay she'd been receiving, and that co-workers would make her life a "living hell" if she crossed the line.

I know that UTLA is very vindictive when it comes to strikes. If we cross the line, we have our photo on signs, with very nasty comments, and they are posted repeatedly around the school, once the strike is over. I know some of the nicest teachers, that would turn into monsters, damaging cars of office employees who crossed the line.......

Sounds like Hitler's Third Reich.
_________________
A scouring fire shall avenge us and return our forsaken freedoms!

Don of the Dial · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:33 am Post subject: