| 9 Dec. 2003 Meeting of San Gabriel Valley Community Labor Alliance Present: Strikers from Albertson's Montebello (on Via Campo) and Von's Alhambra (at Valley & New); representatives from Alhambra Democratic Club, Global Women's Strike, Monterey Park Democratic Club, San Gabriel Valley Neighbors for Peace and Justice, and Whittier Neighbors for Peace and Justice. STRIKE SUPPORT CALENDAR: Sat., Dec. 13, 9:30 am - San Gabriel Valley Neighbors for Peace and Justice to continue door-to-door strike suport leafletting in Alhambra. Meet at 107 N. First St., Apt. E. Tues., Dec. 16, 7 pm - Next meeting of SGV Community Labor Alliance at Monterey Park City Hall gym (room # to be determined). Gym is building on west side of parking lot; entrance on McPherrin St. Friday, Dec. 19 - Monterey Park Democratic Club holiday party and fundraiser for strike. Wednesday, Dec. 31 - San Gabriel Valley Neighbors for Peace and Justice New Year's Eve party (details below). REPORTS FROM STRIKERS: Negotiations have stopped; there is news blackout. No one is supposed to talk to media, but things are leaking out. Blackout means union can't tell strikers what is going on, but strikers at different stores hearing different rumours. Don't know what to believe but don't expect strike to be settled before first of year. Talks to resume Tuesday (Dec. 16) after break; when negotiations going on, they go on around the clock. Today's Los Angeles Times headlined article about strike: "No End in Sight." One of companies' demands was for right to force workers to take two-hour lunch breaks during slow periods, but according to Los Angeles Times article plan for 2-hour lunch break has been dropped. Nobody knows when strike fund will run out. Health benefits will end this month, so strikers may have to take over monthly payments for their health benefits, which start at $347 per month for one person, more for family. In Paramount, husband of Albertson's worker killed himself because he had cancer and didn't know how his wife would be able to care for him. (This got no media attention.) One rumour is that in Jan. or Feb., after their contracts expire, workers from Max Foods and Food-4-Less will be joining strike. Tensions high on picket lines. Scabs threatening picketers. Strikers starting to look for other jobs, but no one hiring part-time temporary workers. Strikers don't know why they are out there, what union is fighting for, or what issues, if any, have been settled. Still strikers all still out there together. Supermarket workers took jobs originally because jobs offered medical benefits and pension and gave women time for their families. Most jobs were part-time, people had to work holidays, nights, and weekends, had to be on call, had different schedule every week, so difficult to make plans, even though most workers only got 24 hours of work per week. Essentially the companies owned the workers and owned their time, while only paying for part of it. Part-timers couldn't get second part-time job because never knew when they would have to show up for supermarket job. Payoff for workers was good benefits and pensions. Payoff for companies was flexibility, plus it took part-time employees much longer to accumulate pension benefits. Now stores can't keep scab employees (e.g., some scabs have had to go back to jail for stealing) and can't provide any customer services. STRIKE SUPPORT ACTIONS: Mudd has been making bags of food for strikers - spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, cans of fruit, cans of vegetables, Bisquick, plus loading up on stuff that's on sale. (She also brought a thank-you card to Alliance from strikers and cookies she made for us.) Al noted that People to People (?) in San Gabriel has a food bank for people who live in that area. Union also has a food bank, but not clear where to go when. Irv reported that Alhambra Democratic Club voted $500 for strike support, but doesn't know whether funds were ever expended. Craig will attend meeting next week and let them know the money is desperately needed. Irv reported that Monterey Park Democratic Club has also allocated money for strike support and is making expenditures. They will have fundraising holiday party for strike on Dec. 19; will invite one striker from each of the local stores to be a guest and will give them spot on agenda. Al reported that San Gabriel Valley Neighbors for Peace and Justice planning New Year's Eve potluck; everyone who is not on strike should bring basket of food, etc. for strikers. All strikers invited. Will raise money for strikers. Music and dancing. SGVNPJ and Highland Park Peace and Justice Vigil have already collected shopping bags of food to turn over to strikers on New Years Eve. Irv circulated strike support letter from Congressman Tom Lantos. For new leaflet, Irv will write half-page summarizing strongest points from Lantos letter and Al will add half-page inviting ppl to Alliance meetings. Al will make copies to distribute to interested people. Diana brought letter of support from Hilda Solis and George Miller. Al will make copies. SGVNPJ continuing door-to-door leafleting in Alhambra. Currently using (1) union flyer ("Facts about Supermarket Strike/Setting the Record Straight"), (2) Irv's sample letter to supermarkets which people can sign, date and mail, (3) union's list of supermarket addresses, (4) leaflet in Chinese, and (5) leaflet expressing SGVNPJ's position on strike. Strikers are helping with leafleting (using union leaflets only, not SGVNPJ leaflet). (See calendar, above, for next leafleting date.) Susan reported hearing that Health Dept. had refused to respond to report of putrid smell coming from Albertson's in South Los Angeles, saying they "wouldn't cross a picket line." Mudd reported that Health Dept. has responded to calls and is going in and finding violations; if you report a violation, they will call you back within 3 working days. Scott circulated draft of article by Joel Jordan (UTLA), arguing that we can't keep doing what we are doing, because it's not going to work. Jordan says markets have no incentive to end strike after first of year (Jan. is when they usually lay ppl off anyway). Jordan's position is that rank and file have to hold union leaders' feet to the fire to achieve anything radical; only rank and file can put forth the position that we have to take strike nationwide. Strikers beginning to wonder whether union leaders are really representing rank-and-file in negotiations. Starting to ask, "Are union leaders negotiating for OUR best interests or THEIRS?" Scott proposed setting up organization within UFCW like Teamsters for a Democratic Union. Best place to introduce this would be at next week's UFCW's summit, but no one at tonight's meeting has received any concrete info about summit or who will be included in it. Mudd will try to get details about summit. Susan proposed that if rank and file are excluded from summit, grassroots supporters could set up picket outside summit with signs and leaflets. |