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NEWS & LETTERS, April 2004LA grocery picketers reluctantly returnLos Angeles--The unfortunate settlement of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) against Southern California grocers has discouraged many workers who for month after month participated in one of the longest recent strikes and lockouts. A worker told me, "I spent five months of my life for nothing, with $8,000 in charges added to my credit card." Some of the dispirited workers have not bothered to return; some who did return are looking for other jobs, even after 20 years of work for the markets. The only bright side of the settlement was "just to have a job" to pay the bills. "Overall my wages, including the retirement and health plan, are reduced from $19 an hour to $15 an hour," said one worker. "I’m going to get only 60% of my retirement benefits. It is like living just to work rather than working to live." It is hard to listen to workers who lost in the strike. Everyone who works for a living lost in that battle, but the fight for better working conditions will continue. The inherent contradictions under capitalism lead to forcing workers to give up wages and benefits. Workers are working longer hours, and working faster and harder, just to live. They are forced to fight not only their bosses but also their union. Hopefully this will help unite workers to come together and fight back. --Manel |
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