Signs of Covert Class Struggle

[BonzaiDuck]

At 77, still dealing with loss of two family members, with lower energy, I think that the technology and volume of information to absorb is leaving me with a feeling of "not keeping up." But I AM keeping up. I just don't have time to go out and re-verify things. Here's what I THINK I know.

From activist involvement going back to 2004, I was keen on the idea of "blue business" versus "red business". You can boycott with your feet, so to speak, and patronize business supporting one or the other side of the political struggle. I had been reliably informed that COSTCO is a decidedly "blue" business. Owners or major stockholders donate to the Democratic Party. At least I had that as comfort for so many years. Obviously, a Democrat might avoid shopping at Walmart as much as possible, because we know where the Walton family money goes in political donations.

Another recent development in aftermath of the election: While other labor unions and labor leaders opposed the Trump candidacy, Teamsters Union voiced support for Trump. You can correct me if I'm wrong.

So here's a recent Inauguration Day news item about a pending strike at COSTCO:

COSTCO Union Authorizes Nationwide Strike

I'm not sure that rank-and-file employees of an outfit like COSTCO keep up with all the facts in our ongoing political struggle. There is a chance that COSTCO will negotiate terms with the union, but one must wonder just what the demands of the union might be, and how well COSTCO employees are treated in terms of wages and many other issues. I shop at COSTCO frequently and I've come to know several employees there over the past two decades.

But the question remains: Is the threat of a strike being created by the union on behalf of other Trump-aligned interests? Is the political Trump coalition trying to sow discord in "blue business" by promoting a strike?

I spoke to some COSTCO employees yesterday during my shopping trip. They don't seem to be aware of COSTCO's political orientation as opposed to that of an outfit like WalMart. But -- sure -- they can strike, and I hope their demands are at least partially met.

 

[ivwshane]

At 77, still dealing with loss of two family members, with lower energy, I think that the technology and volume of information to absorb is leaving me with a feeling of "not keeping up." But I AM keeping up. I just don't have time to go out and re-verify things. Here's what I THINK I know.

From activist involvement going back to 2004, I was keen on the idea of "blue business" versus "red business". You can boycott with your feet, so to speak, and patronize business supporting one or the other side of the political struggle. I had been reliably informed that COSTCO is a decidedly "blue" business. Owners or major stockholders donate to the Democratic Party. At least I had that as comfort for so many years. Obviously, a Democrat might avoid shopping at Walmart as much as possible, because we know where the Walton family money goes in political donations.

Another recent development in aftermath of the election: While other labor unions and labor leaders opposed the Trump candidacy, Teamsters Union voiced support for Trump. You can correct me if I'm wrong.

So here's a recent Inauguration Day news item about a pending strike at COSTCO:

COSTCO Union Authorizes Nationwide Strike

I'm not sure that rank-and-file employees of an outfit like COSTCO keep up with all the facts in our ongoing political struggle. There is a chance that COSTCO will negotiate terms with the union, but one must wonder just what the demands of the union might be, and how well COSTCO employees are treated in terms of wages and many other issues. I shop at COSTCO frequently and I've come to know several employees there over the past two decades.

But the question remains: Is the threat of a strike being created by the union on behalf of other Trump-aligned interests? Is the political Trump coalition trying to sow discord in "blue business" by promoting a strike?

I spoke to some COSTCO employees yesterday during my shopping trip. They don't seem to be aware of COSTCO's political orientation as opposed to that of an outfit like WalMart. But -- sure -- they can strike, and I hope their demands are at least partially met.

Most Costcos are non union, the union buildings are holdovers from past mergers (Pride club I think). From what I’ve heard the union buildings are typically paid less than the non union buildings. I’ve got a union building near me and a non union building and the vibes are completely different.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Most Costcos are non union, the union buildings are holdovers from past mergers (Pride club I think). From what I’ve heard the union buildings are typically paid less than the non union buildings. I’ve got a union building near me and a non union building and the vibes are completely different.

Add that to our file of empirical data. Also, if what you cite about relative wages is true, it seems counterintuitive. One wonders what exactly the management is doing with this. Is it some sort of experiment? Whether or not -- it's interesting. Otherwise, I only have these thoughts about my pleasant shopping experience at COSTCO:

First -- in the real world, there's no such thing as a free lunch. But you can get breakfast or lunch for yourself at certain times of the day by religiously stopping at all the COSTCO sample tables. I'm sure we're paying for it, but it seems like a free lunch!

Second -- when are they going to start carrying Swiss cheese in addition to Gruyere? And what happened to those huge chunk wedges of Gorgonzola they used to sell? You cannot always trust to find the same items you gladly bought there on a regular basis.

Third -- they must really want to sell those TVs, as they seem to have the display within 20 feet of the store entrance. But then, I would have to know if all COSTCOs follow a similar floor plan. A grocery chain in my city and thereabouts does exactly that. you can always count on the produce, deli and other sections to be in the same relative places.

As for Walmart, I love to replay the YouTube Lewis Black 2023 Special -- Sadly, I need you. He really disses and rips Walmart, and its funny enough.

 

[nakedfrog]

Add that to our file of empirical data. Also, if what you cite about relative wages is true, it seems counterintuitive. One wonders what exactly the management is doing with this. Is it some sort of experiment? Whether or not -- it's interesting. Otherwise, I only have these thoughts about my pleasant shopping experience at COSTCO:

First -- in the real world, there's no such thing as a free lunch. But you can get breakfast or lunch for yourself at certain times of the day by religiously stopping at all the COSTCO sample tables. I'm sure we're paying for it, but it seems like a free lunch!

Second -- when are they going to start carrying Swiss cheese in addition to Gruyere? And what happened to those huge chunk wedges of Gorgonzola they used to sell? You cannot always trust to find the same items you gladly bought there on a regular basis.

Third -- they must really want to sell those TVs, as they seem to have the display within 20 feet of the store entrance. But then, I would have to know if all COSTCOs follow a similar floor plan. A grocery chain in my city and thereabouts does exactly that. you can always count on the produce, deli and other sections to be in the same relative places.

As for Walmart, I love to replay the YouTube Lewis Black 2023 Special -- Sadly, I need you. He really disses and rips Walmart, and its funny enough.

There's two Costcos near me, the layouts are sort of mirrored from each other, I feel like the TV display section is a bit more prominent at one of them than the other.

 

[ivwshane]

There is typically a general layout but items move constantly and only basic things are usually always stocked. If you haven’t leavened yet; when you see it at Costco, get it, you can always return but they may not always have it.

 

[hal2kilo]

There's two Costcos near me, the layouts are sort of mirrored from each other, I feel like the TV display section is a bit more prominent at one of them than the other.

Usually, they are laid out quite similar, but I did notice not only a different layout from west to east coast stores, but different to go food selections.

 

[Moonbeam]

There are perhaps more than one kinds of fatigue. I used to think the Democratic Party was where the country needed to go and the country decided otherwise. But it seems like everything in a capitalist system comes down to money. Money buys happiness. With money you have power and control and without it your simply dirt.

Walmart destroyed small businesses everywhere as supermarkets destroyed butcher shops, candy stores, green grocers, fish mongers, etc. Everything is corporatized, sanitized, packaged and ready to serve, convenience at the cost of connectivity. Money makes it possible to separate, to live behind walls and gates. It makes for hatred of one’s neighbors whom you never want to see.

Everything is driven by money, making it, saving it, getting the best deal, worshiping it and what it can buy you. Time is money, don’t waste it. It takes vast amounts to get elected. Name recognition is all there is. Who would vote for somebody to look out for you when you wouldn’t spend a nickel looking out for somebody else. Are such fools famous. Is that what Trump is known forever?

As I see it the problems are systemic. The need for financial support to run political parties means they will be bought, that they will sell out. We are just batteries that run the machine.

You shop at Costco to support a more enlightened business model that competes against slave labor, conscious of the differences. For most its convenience and price, value for money. Time is money. Who has time to thinking about things. What will it change. Gotta go. Gonna run some dungeons for mats and gold and tune out the world.

 

[Leymenaide]

Class struggle? It’s been class war most of my life and I am 71. How can one not be fatigued when those around you still think Democrats love us when they cannot provide a basic safety net and no national health care system. It is not there because they do not want it. I am old enough to remember Nixon proposing a better health care system than we have and a guaranteed minimum income. He called it a negative income tax. Who stopped him? In high school I decided the difference between the two parties was that one were bigots the others hypocrites. I tended to favor bigots because there is no hope in changing a liar. With time I found the bigots have no interest in changing. The insanity of supporting a party of change that does not support change is our national conundrum. AOC being the most recent proof.

 

[hal2kilo]

I think Costco isn't doing a damn thing to keep prices down, by the way. Beef just inches up every week or so. Sales items really dropped off.

 

[ivwshane]

Yeah I’m noticing higher prices too, even on Kirkland brand stuff.

 

[cytg111]

Class struggle? It’s been class war most of my life and I am 71. How can one not be fatigued when those around you still think Democrats love us when they cannot provide a basic safety net and no national health care system. It is not there because they do not want it. I am old enough to remember Nixon proposing a better health care system than we have and a guaranteed minimum income. He called it a negative income tax. Who stopped him? In high school I decided the difference between the two parties was that one were bigots the others hypocrites. I tended to favor bigots because there is no hope in changing a liar. With time I found the bigots have no interest in changing. The insanity of supporting a party of change that does not support change is our national conundrum. AOC being the most recent proof.

As for singlepayer AOC and that axis is like your only bet in that direction. You just need enough of them to take over the party.
Its almost like the system said "we need change, here take Bernie" ... you said nope and then the system said "ok then you can have Trump" kthxbye.

Shoulda taken the Bernie option.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Yeah I’m noticing higher prices too, even on Kirkland brand stuff.

Same went shopping last night. I am thinking of saving the receipt to compare to same stuff 6 months from now.
Cat food was more expensive, bread was more, eggs but this could be temporary, lunch meats except the discounted one because it’s close to expiration. Not many sale tags up too.

 

[Moonbeam]

Costco defends its diversity policies as other US companies scale theirs back

Costco is pushing back on a shareholder proposal that urges the wholesale club operator to conduct an evaluation of any business risks posed by its diversity, equity and inclusion practices.

nypost.com

 

[evident]

I think Costco isn't doing a damn thing to keep prices down, by the way. Beef just inches up every week or so. Sales items really dropped off.

I professed my love for costco in the other costco thread but yes 100% agree. Beef prices in general are through the roof and their beef quality has been complete crap as of late.

And cape cod potato chips. my favorite junk food ever... they are like $9 a bag here. i remember pre covid they were like 3.79 and sometimes you could get them on sale. you can see the rampant greedflation going on when you shop at costco. not necessarily their fault though, it's probably just passed down the chain from the suppliers. clorox bleach i remember you could get 3 containers for like 3 bucks. now it's $15 haha.

 

[MrSquished]

some of it could be Costco. The new CEO is not as good as the old one - see union strike coming up.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

some of it could be Costco. The new CEO is not as good as the old one - see union strike coming up.

Yeah he is there to improve margins which means less pay & benefits and more costs for shoppers.

 

[ivwshane]

I wouldn’t believe any information coming from the union. Every time it’s time for a negotiation they danger the same thing without fail; “Costco cares more about profits than paying its people a fair wage. We don’t want to strike but they are forcing us to”. Two weeks later they sign a deal.

 

[hal2kilo]

I wouldn’t believe any information coming from the union. Every time it’s time for a negotiation they danger the same thing without fail; “Costco cares more about profits than paying its people a fair wage. We don’t want to strike but they are forcing us to”. Two weeks later they sign a deal.

Mainly because Costco treats their employees pretty good, for that segment of employment.

 

[MrSquished]

I wouldn’t believe any information coming from the union. Every time it’s time for a negotiation they danger the same thing without fail; “Costco cares more about profits than paying its people a fair wage. We don’t want to strike but they are forcing us to”. Two weeks later they sign a deal.

This is the new CEO's first time negotiating with the unions like this afaik, he only took over the other year. It is totally reasonable to believe things might be different this time. You are speaking of a totally different CEO as if they must be the same and to believe otherwise is wrong.

 

[ivwshane]

This is the new CEO's first time negotiating with the unions like this afaik, he only took over the other year. It is totally reasonable to believe things might be different this time. You are speaking of a totally different CEO as if they must be the same and to believe otherwise is wrong.

You do realize that CEO’s don’t actually do the negotiating themselves right? They have a team, presumably the same team they always have.

 

[MrSquished]

You do realize that CEO’s don’t actually do the negotiating themselves right? They have a team, presumably the same team they always have.

You do realize CEOs have influence over a corporation's policies including very key ones like how to deal with labor.

I mean good luck with that.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

You do realize that CEO’s don’t actually do the negotiating themselves right? They have a team, presumably the same team they always have.

And whom does that team report to?