16 October 2003

The compact that created a large middle class is breaking

Arizona Republic business columnist Jon Talton chimes in on the grocery worker strike in California. Technically, it's more of a lockout, than a strike, considering that of the 70,000 workers affected, only 21,000 are on strike. The other 49,000 have been locked out by management.

The UFCW (United Food and Commercial Workers) claim that grocer profits are up 91% since 1998, yet the firms wish to cut in half health benefits for workers. Industry spokesmen cite increased competition from nonunion rivals such as Wal-Mart is forcing their hand.

Talton is on target in his pronouncement that we indeed have voted for this arrangement, by choosing to spend money at Wal-Mart instead of supporting local merchants.

Wal-Mart did not rise on hard work and small-town values. It rose because the government allowed it to gain an anti-competitive grip on the supply chain that would scandalize even John D. Rockefeller. It charges extremely low prices because of a workforce and sweatshop suppliers that do not have the pay and benefits that once were considered basic American values. Now it has imitators throughout the economy, its methods considered the vogue way to run a business.

Some day we may look back and say, "We never voted for this!" But we did, every time we shopped. Every time we neglected to see that a purchase was part of our connection to others. Every time we failed to patronize a local merchant, or a company that treats its workers well. Every time we crossed a picket line because, after all, if those fat union goons were replaced they got what they deserved.

And then it happened to our neighbors. And then it happened to us. And I guess we got what we deserved.

The question I wish to pose is why should it be this way? Is it collective selfishness that for saving a few dollars we're willing to sanction a return to sweatshop conditions? Or is it just brazen obliviousness? I haven't listened to much talk radio recently but I bet that caller sentiment is squarely against the workers (especially on all those right wing host shows).

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