Yup, UFCW lost a lot of leverage since the 80s.
By the late 80s the big chains were closing stores, modernizing (think smart checkout, barcode scanners, modern inventory systems, etc) and opening up six months later as non-Union. I know “my” store said if they hired me back for my Soph summer it would be at a reduced 30% payout (new two-tier contract, continuous workers kept their original salary, new ones came in much lower) as I learned when I dropped by to say “hi.”
I was set already to work an Ops job for a start-up so it wasn’t a big deal but interesting time to have a first hand glimpse of struggling unions during the 80s.
By the late 80s the big chains were closing stores, modernizing (think smart checkout, barcode scanners, modern inventory systems, etc) and opening up six months later as non-Union. I know “my” store said if they hired me back for my Soph summer it would be at a reduced 30% payout (new two-tier contract, continuous workers kept their original salary, new ones came in much lower) as I learned when I dropped by to say “hi.”
I was set already to work an Ops job for a start-up so it wasn’t a big deal but interesting time to have a first hand glimpse of struggling unions during the 80s.
In 1938 Neville Chamberlain declared "Peace in our time", Superman first appeared in Action Comics, Seabiscuit beat War Admiral ....... and C.a.l last won the Rose Bowl.