Those on strike are our neighbors

By Letters to the Editor
From page A5 | 3 Comments

EDITOR:

I feel compelled to respond to the letter I read in the Mountain Democrat on Monday written by a person who had extremely negative things to say about the striking workers at our local Raley’s. I would urge that writer and everyone else in our community to look at the picket lines with a different perspective. These striking workers, labeled as “thugs” by the writer, are members of our community, our neighbors. What they are doing is courageous and worthy of our respect and support. In these times of great bias against all things “union,” I think that many people forget (or never knew) that in the not so distant past, workers in all areas of manufacture and service industries had no rights, no safety regulations to protect them, no health, retirement or other benefits, and no guarantee of even close to a living wage. Eight-hour workdays and five-day work weeks are things many of take for granted and it is only through the fact of collective bargaining that any of us enjoy those things today. And in heavily non-unionized areas of the country or certain severely anti-union companies, workers still do not have many of these things. I have also heard people complain about how they dislike shopping at Raley’s because it is more expensive than some other stores — I would urge folks with that attitude to recognize that paying slightly more is worth it if the people working in that store actually get fairly treated. I have shopped at Raley’s for many years and would not cross that picket line if they were giving food away for free (which they actually advertised). I urge the management of the Raley’s company to bargain fairly and in good faith with their employees. I further urge folks in our community to stop by Raley’s and instead of going inside for some “bargains,” offer some hot coffee and encouragement to the people out on that line.

CARLA TUROFF
Placerville

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Discussion | 3 comments

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KarenNovember 14, 2012 - 7:30 am
Carla, THANK YOU for summarizing my thoughts too! I read the recent letter with disappointment as well. I, too, would not cross the picket line and had to find somewhere else to shop. While doing so, I noticed that those stores did not have the same quality products or workers that I enjoy at Raley's. Certainly worth paying more for. I have been at points in my life where looking for the cheapest prices was a priority, and shopping at a Walmart was a necessity. But, I'm not in that place anymore and I really appreciate being able to shop at a nice, quality store that carries the better quality foods I prefer in the Placerville area. Were it not for Raley's here, I might have to consider traveling much further. I'm glad that the workers are fighting for their rights. I'm willing to pay more, but not willing to cross that picket line. Let's be glad the strike is over so we can go shop there again!
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Supports UnionNovember 14, 2012 - 8:28 am
Thank You for the ones that supported the Raleys strike. My daughter has been with Raleys for 16yrs, started with Placerville store with Scott Raley, She has been transferd to another store few yrs back. She has come from a long family of Union workers, these workers stood up to what they have the right to do. The Medical and retirement benifits are what they work for and have the right to. There should have not been one person that should have talked disrespectfull to these workers with out kindly asking them what was the issue is. SHAME ON YOU. The ones that dont know what was realy happening, YOU WOULD COMPLAIN HUNG WITH A NEW ROPE YOUR FAVORITE COLOR!.
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Jim RiordanNovember 15, 2012 - 9:15 am
No one has a "right" to demand more money for any job. We all however, have a duty to work and every opportunity to better ourselves and make ourselves worth more money and then approach employers and ask for a salary you believe is fair. If you cannot find any company willing to pay as much as you ask, perhaps your services are not worth waht you are asking. . . Start taking night classes or on-line accredited classes. Earn your way, don't try to demand your way.
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