In a message dated 1/13/2005 9:11:24 AM Eastern Standard Time, "Dennis Tester" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:

>>Let me ask a naive question, as someone who has resisted mandatory 
>>collectivism since I was a young teen: �If the union deal is such a good one, 
>>how can Wal-Mart or Target succeed in hiring anybody? �

I will take that as a truly naive question...because all of the union jobs are 
filled!  The twin cities have been very lucky to have a strong presence of 
organized workers in the grocery industry.  These folks have actually enjoyed 
the benefits of health insurance for full time workers and a relatively decent 
pay for standing on their feet (and handling a lot of cash) for eight hours a 
day.  We as a community have been truly blessed that the regional chains who 
have done business in the twin cities over the years have viewed having a work 
force that was paid a living wage as a positive thing and brought good will in 
the community.  Union workers staid in their jobs for years and regular 
shoppers got to know their cashiers and they knew the regular customers.  
Today, the Target's and Wal-Mart super stores that sell groceries are 
challenging that notion.  Disposable cashiers get paid minimum wages, usually 
work less than 32 hours a week, to avoid paying any benefits and your miserable 
bag-boy job has been eliminated entirely, so we have less jobs for teens.  But, 
as all champions of unrestricted capitalism know, if business holds out long 
enough the workers will work for crusts of bread, because they have to feed 
their families.  

>And isn't it collusion or worse that several business can >band together and 
>petition the government to hurt their >competitors?
>
The constitution still grants the citizens the right to petition the 
government.  At least George II has taken that one away yet.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke
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