r/Eugene • u/Busy_Improvement_139 • 3d ago
Boycott List + Bigfoot Strike Update Activism
Here is the full list of boycotted goods https://boycottbigfoot.now/
Once again I am not a Teamster and do not represent the striking workers in any official capacity. I am a union carpenter and DSA member who helps out with the strike as much as I can.
It is day 108 of the strike. It started out with Bigfoot Beverages not bargaining in good faith and demanding the workers lose their pension and switch to a 401k, the workers are now fighting to keep their union.
Some highlights
-Bigfoot Beverages has threatened all strikers with permanent replacement. That goes against labor law as this is a ULP strike and the workers have protections. -Bigfoot policy changed and eliminated the daily overtime threshold, an employee must now work 40+ hours a week to qualify for any overtime. -The striking workers have had their healthcare removed as Bigfoot Beverages states they are no longer employees. -Teamster held a rally on Dec 24th to ask governor Kotek for support. -On November 26th Bigfoot Beverages claimed it had withdrawn its recognition of the union representing employees. Stating they had received a petition from a majority of members. In reality this was a petition signed by the scab workers, and it is a violation of labor law. For decertification to happen the NLRB must conduct an election https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/the-law/employees/decertification-election
It’s been a long fight, and the Teamsters are not giving up, the workers must win. Spirits have been very high this week, Teamsters and community orgs have been sending people out to put up posters and fliers. Apparently Bigfoot is having their scabs take them down, what a fine use of scab time.
Striking Teamsters also spoke to some more bars this week and have convinced even more to join the boycott. The strikers have years long relationships with these people, you can’t just replace that. It’s good to see how many people are willing to stick with the workers and be on the right side of history.
I wish that I had more updates for you all, unfortunately since Eric Forrest and Andy Moore have refused to come to the negotiating table, there has been no progress with negotiations.
They have hired out of state scabs for nearly double what the striking workers earned, in addition to 24/7 security. They are losing customers and business support. Simply put, there is no way that they are not losing money since they have less income and more expenses. This is now a test of how greedy Eric and Andy are. How willing are they to run the company into the ground to get rid of the union?
Here’s how you can help
-Join the boycott, there is a lot on this list and it’s easy to slip up https://boycottbigfoot.now/
-Join the line and show your support. Bring supplies if you can, water and hand warmers are always appreciated.
-Tell Bigfoot what you think of them. Call them and tell them to come back to the table or leave them a 1 star review and call them union busters.
-Boycott Fast Track Carwash, it is owned by Eric Forrest, don’t give him your money.
-Eric Forrest sits on the board of directors for Umpqua bank, if you have an account there you can complain and ask for him to be removed.
-Andy Moore sits on the board of directors for Summit bank, if you have an account there you can complain and ask for him to be removed.
-Help us put up posters and hand out fliers to get the word out and annoy the bosses. Sign up here and say that you are interested in the "how you heard about us" box https://boycottbigfoot.now/contact-us/
Thank you for all of the support!
The photos of the folks on the line are provided by a local photographer who came out and took them out of the goodness of his heart. Please check out his Instagram, he's a great guy and has more strike photos there. https://www.instagram.com/m5n5d?igsh=dHV1emhjeHVpN3Vu
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u/lux_oblivium 2d ago
Call Gov. Kotek at (503) 378-4582 to voice your support for Teamsters Local 324.
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u/RedRex87 2d ago
Word on the street is that the out-of-town strikebreakers are finally gone. Their last day was supposedly on Friday 1/3. This could be a huge turning point in the strike because that means Bigfoot just lost 6 SCAB CDL drivers. I hope it’s true 🤞
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u/localwageslave 2d ago
If Huffmaster has left, then they lost more than six. We had upwards of 12 drivers, 4 logistics people, and three supervisors at the hotel I work(ed) for.
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u/Rikishi6six9nine 22h ago
I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. I've kept an eye on bigfoot job postings since the strike began. They completely removed all job postings a week or so ago. Had a hard time believing they filled all their positions. Hopefully, that's a sign andy and Eric are making necessary moves to end their battle against their workers 🤞
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u/Bassnerdarrow 1d ago
Their contract expired on the 3rd and was renewed on the same day supposedly.
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u/ontour4eternity 2d ago
Are people on the line every day? I'll come join in for a bit! I'll start making my sign tonight.
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
Someone already mentioned it's all day every day. Also they have extra signs. But a custom one could be fun.
Thanks for the support! ❤️✊
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u/No_Context5435 2d ago
Thanks you for this update!! We've been keeping up our boycott but we weren't sure how else to help. This is great information!
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
You're welcome! Thank you for boycotting! They'll act like it isn't working but it is. And thank you for wanting to help more! ✊❤️
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u/Turbulent-Tour-5371 2d ago
People need to start standing in front of places like Fred Meyer and Safeway. Let it start effecting their bottom line. I see scabs in those stores EVERY day.
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
Teamsters have some ambulatory picketers that chase trucks and stand outside the places they deliver to. DSA has had people in front of a couple stores, you get asked to leave pretty quickly though. And there is a lot of ground to cover.
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u/battleborn73 2d ago
Yes we saw some at a DariMart on Thursday morning and one was in a Bigfoot suit kinda funny and sad at the same time.
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u/localwageslave 2d ago
If I may offer some insight both from an inside and an outside perspective:
I had the unfortunate displeasure of hosting the scabs Bigfoot called in at the hotel I work(ed) for. They're called the Huffmaster Crisis Response group, Their entire job is to fill the positions left behind by the striking workers so operations can continue, however, most of the CDL drivers that were hired were forced to work 12+ hours a day 7 days a week, at (if memory serves) nearly $35/hr. Their presence at least with our location lasted probably 4-5 months, before our contract with them had ended and they moved on to other hotels. I saw a comment here that they've since left, which means Bigfoot could no longer afford to pay that level of money to each contractor they hired on, which means that THIS. IS. WORKING.
I implore all of you, join this fucking strike. There are a number of ways you can bring about change but it's gotta be all or nothing.
- Contact Gov. Tina Kotek via phone number - (503) 378-4582, voice your outspoken support for Teamsters and demand Bigfoot sit down and start negotiations.
- Join the picket line - the more bodies that are there, the better. From what I've heard, spare signs are provided.
- Go around and sticker Bigfoot-distributed products in your local grocery stores to indicate that these are stricken items. If we can hurt these grocery store's bottom line, it makes them less likely to order from Bigfoot, which hurts Bigfoot's bottom line.
Last but not least - SPREAD THE WORD. This fight is far from over, but with everyone's assistance, we can bring about the change we need to make.
Truly yours, a man who has had to deal with Bigfoot in the past prior to the strike, a man who has supported the boycott since the day he found out about it, and a man who wants to see the hard workers behind this strike receive the compensation and justice they fucking deserve.
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1d ago
What justice do they deserve? They had a great job and they chose to stay out on the picket line because of a change in a pension vs 401 K. They are not very smart. The employers have been and are very fair hard working and more than generous. So much of what you have posted here is just untrue but no one bothers to look for the facts only listening to the idiots with the mega phones.
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u/Background_Fun49 1d ago
yeah, you're kind of contradicting yourself between saying they're trying to eliminate their pension and saying they're very fair, but you're also clearly either part of bigfoot management or related to someone there so honestly fuck off regardless
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u/localwageslave 1d ago
This is a really fucking bad take dawg.
“Change in pension and 401k” yeah; they’re changing them so the workers DONT FUCKING GET THOSE ANYMORE
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u/imdreamingthis 2d ago
let’s support our community, fellow working class workers who are striking!
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u/ONE-EYE-OPTIC 2d ago
I've dropped off coffee and bagels. 100% support for blue collar union members. Don't let corporate win.
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
That's wonderful thank you! It's a huge mood boost when people help out like this. ❤️✊
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u/tastybugs 2d ago
I went to the Safeway on 40th and Donald to buy a bunch of stuff including carbonated water. I knew I wanted to avoid drinks distributed by Bigfoot, and I was trying to remember which ones were which when I saw somebody had attached a "stricken product" sticker on the Bubly carbonated waters. I really appreciated that and it made me wonder where I could get stickers like that because I'd be happy to help in that effort (stickering Bigfoot distributed drinks so people know).
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
Fill out the contact form on the boycott website and someone will be in touch with you in the next few days.
Thank you! Community support means everything! ❤️✊❤️
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u/Darkeesian 2d ago
We’ve been boycotting the listed products and we hope this settles soon in favor of the workers!
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u/kookaburra1701 2d ago
I've been following the boycott and give a honk whenever I pass the picket line! Union strong!✊
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u/n053b133d 2d ago
I saw in another one of these threads that King Estate and Willamette Valley Vineyards were on the boycott list, but they are absent from the list in OP's link. Looking at their websites, it appears that they both use Republic National Distribution Company. I'm curious if the information in the previous thread was bullshit, or if they've both switched distribution companies.
Also, I know that King Estate sucks for other reasons and we don't need to start that discussion again.
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
They do distribute Kings Estate! I'll talk to the website creator and make sure that it's updated. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
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u/Prestigious_Cut_3539 2d ago
i see this and wish we would have asked for more in our contact negotiations last summer.
the folks wanted a raise, no problem. the company even gave undesirable positions a couple extra bucks an hour. when we wanted two Saturdays off a month they flipped out lol finally conceeded to NO help of our union, it was our shop steward who is faithful to the brothers.
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
Which union are you at? I'm sorry you had that experience, next time you'll be better prepared. ✊
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u/Prestigious_Cut_3539 2d ago
701, but we don't do union hall work. wish we would have went teamster instead because non hall 701 is trash. yes we will! wish you brothers the best!!!!✊
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u/PokeDweeb24 2d ago
Luckily the only thing I occasionally buy from the list is a Celsius and that’s easily replaced. I hope the union hands them a boot up their ass.
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u/selvfolgelig 2d ago
I quit a 20 year Diet Pepsi habit for this and I hate it. I just want to drink my disgusting sodas. Ffs just give the workers what they want.
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
Good on ya! I appreciate it.
Also for real, just treat the workers right already.
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u/bean5869 2d ago
May I suggest adding a distribution territory map since they have a decent part of Oregon, but not its entirety. I’m outside of their areas but will definitely do my part when traveling south. Stand strong! 💪
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u/Ian-Not_on_Olive 1d ago
My employer switched to Coke (we had Pepsi), because of the strike.
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 1d ago
That's awesome! Would you mind sharing your employer? I'm more likely to give them my money knowing that.
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u/elementalbee 2d ago
I’m looking at the boycott list…are there certain stores/locations that have no Bigfoot affiliation? Like is there somewhere I can buy Celcius that isn’t connected to them?
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u/MagentaCat111 2d ago
Sadly they have a monopoly on distribution of all pepsi goods in Oregon.
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u/elementalbee 2d ago
That’s unfortunate. Same thing for Costco?
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u/MagentaCat111 2d ago
yep
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u/elementalbee 2d ago
Is Pepsi Beverages North America totally separate?
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u/Rikishi6six9nine 1d ago
Yes. Those drivers are represented by teamsters local 162 and ratified their contract last April. I believe their territory starts in salem, though. I could be wrong on where their territory starts, though.
https://www.teamsters162.com/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=919663
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u/Equivalent_Pie9642 1d ago
I was wondering if the strike is still on
I see delivery trucks at the Hill Top Market almost every other day, (I work near there)
one driver almost flipped the truck getting off the curb
Another time someone was making a delivery out of a mini van 🤷♂️😆
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u/Jdawg_mck1996 1d ago
You guys have been on strike forever. How tf yall paying your bills?
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 1d ago
Unions have strike funds that provide strikers with money to survive. The IBT's strike fund is huge so they can hold out for a long time.
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u/Jdawg_mck1996 1d ago
Thank god for this. It's been like 3.5 months since I started seeing you guys.
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u/haikusbot 1d ago
You guys have been on
Strike forever. How tf
Yall paying your bills?
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I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.
Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"
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u/99_____ 2d ago
Should we boycott the small businesses who are distributed by Bigfoot?
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
No! If you have a look at the boycott site we ask that you do not boycott the individual breweries. Those distribution contracts heavily favor Bigfoot and they're tough to get out of. Please buy directly from the breweries though.
Especially Coldfire! They stopped selling through Bigfoot for the first month then had to go back because the loss of sales hurt them so much.
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u/ibimus9 1d ago
Coldfire employee here: thank you and: We also distribute through block 15 so there is another segment of the market that is not connected to Bigfoot for those who may want to know and seek that out. Coldfire is a small family owned business trying their hardest to both do the right thing and also survive. 💙
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 1d ago
Every striker I've talked to likes you guys! Your support means so much.
I hadn't heard of Coldfire before the Teamsters held a social there. But now I've been 4-5 times because you're awesome people with solid beer and some great food carts.
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u/99_____ 2d ago
Ok great, thanks for the clarification. But some of my favorite breweries are a long drive away. Is it ok if I still buy their products at stores where Bigfoot distributed them? I’d hate for the breweries to lose sales!
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u/Busy_Improvement_139 2d ago
Unfortunately buying their products at the stores would be crossing the picket line and giving money to Bigfoot. It's messed up how Bigfoot has these companies held hostage.
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u/washington_jefferson 1d ago
I wonder if they even got that $35 an hour pay. I remember when I was in college and did forest firefighting for a summer that the company I worked for I would bid out our crew for about $40 an hour per head from the government, but we’d only get $15. Which was $3 an hour more than other companies were paying people, ha. The other companies around had $28 bids, but when the fires come the leeches get their wishes.
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u/No-Razzmatazz-1644 2d ago
I’m going to take a wild guess that the pension was completely unaffordable. Unions will whine about pensions until the company goes under and then there’s no pension for anyone.
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u/ifmacdo 2d ago
Pepsi Co (and Bigfoot is Pepsi Co for half of Oregon) posted record profits last year, like many other large corporations. They can afford it.
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u/No-Razzmatazz-1644 2d ago
You don’t understand business structure if you think that PepsiCo, the multinational conglomerate, pays for a small distributors pension lmao
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u/Rikishi6six9nine 1d ago
Bigfoot beverage does not hold the pension funds. They transfer the funds to the western conference of teamsters pension fund. There are 1400 other participating employers in the pension fund that have no issue affording it. Each employers rate is set individually in their own negotiations. They've agreed to the rates and increases for decades. Now they want to switch retirement plans to offload retirement costs out of pure greed. I hope you realise your siding with some the wealthiest indivuals in oregon, at this "family owned business".
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u/aChunkyChungus 2d ago
what if people just stopped drinking fizzy sugar poison?
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u/theforestwalker 2d ago
In the history of the world, no solution that supposes that "people just" do anything has ever worked. People don't "just".
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u/Chairboy Resident space expert 2d ago
The important thing is that you made yourself feel superior by grandstanding.
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u/Suspicious-Ball0311 2d ago
Does this mean they are going to stop walking into the road and intimidate drivers? If you live in the area you know these people intimidate people and endanger others. I was on their side, but after being stopped twice while driving, next time its mace.
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u/Aquariusmarie 2d ago
I drive by both locations twice daily and NEVER had this happen! They have always been respectful and wave
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u/Brawnd-isim-o 2d ago
This sounds like complete B.S. I also drive thru this area multiple times a week, sometimes multiple a day, never having seen one instance of road impediment or safety concerns, i suggest a new Opthamologist.
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u/PardonOurMess 1d ago
Drive by there nearly every day, never had a problem. Just lots of friendly smiles and waves.
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u/Which-Lunch-1646 1d ago
Ya they like to harass the female employees the most! One striker told this 18yr old girl that he would rape her and her mother
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u/Lionel_Pritchard 2d ago
Too many good beers on the list, so no boycott for me.
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u/dosefacekillah1348 2d ago
The simple solution to your first world problem is this:
Support those companies directly by purchasing from their brick and mortar locations, not greedy retailers serviced by greedy distributors. Keep the money flowing locally.18
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u/Neat_Lie5083 2d ago
GTFO. look at your boycott list, its HUGE and all local small businesses. Boycott them and go where? Over 100 bigfoot families are suffering? Boo hoo. People at these businesses on your list are LOSING THEIR JOBS because of this strike and I guarantee you small local brewery employees couldn't even dream of the benefits you are being offered.
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u/Prestigious_Cut_3539 2d ago
then they need to man up and form/join a union too
this is exactly the pressure the oligarchs at bigfoot need to hear. why cant they just DO THE RIGHT THING?
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u/dosefacekillah1348 2d ago
The simple solution to your first world problem is this:
Support those companies directly by purchasing from their brick and mortar locations, not greedy retailers serviced by greedy distributors. Keep the money flowing locally.-8
u/Neat_Lie5083 2d ago
That's not how they make their money. If it were, they wouldn't use distribution. These business have contracts with bigfoot. They can't do anything except sink.
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u/No_Top_381 2d ago
Small businesses are still bourgeois pigs and often treat their employees worse than big ones.
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u/Major-Rub-Me 2d ago
And then take their profits and buy up housing to further exploit workers. Fuck em.
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u/Hot-Lawfulness-311 1d ago
People like you are why the working and middle classes can’t have nice things.
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u/ihadtodownloadthis 2d ago
Wild that people are okay with adults taking time off work to throw a temper tantrum.
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u/No_Top_381 2d ago edited 2d ago
Read a history book. Labor unions and strikes are the greatest driver of economic and social justice. This is civil disobedience, not a temper tantrum.
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u/Major-Rub-Me 2d ago
They are out there, on strike, every day for their shifts. They want to work. Bigfoot won't come to the table to fulfill promises they gave to pensioners.
If youre gonna be a snarky little c_nt about it, just don't post at all.
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u/No_Top_381 2d ago
Read a history book. Labor unions and strikes are the greatest driver of economic and social justice. This is civil disobedience, but a temper tantrum.
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u/static_sea 2d ago
Thanks for keeping us updated! Can't believe the lengths these scumbags are willing to go to to fuck over their employees, truly disgraceful.