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Whole Foods employees striking over requirements to work Thanksgiving

Times change. It's not for the government to force some obsolete idea that certain days have to be designated family-only time. That's not for everybody, and, increasingly it's not for anybody.

Instead of resisting change due to personal prejudice, people need to respect the rights of others to require their employees to show up to work.

Nobody claimed otherwise. Now run along with your strawman.
 
Nobody claimed otherwise. Now run along with your strawman.

Bull****. Plenty of people have claimed otherwise. Yourself included, at least implied so. You just haven't got the balls to take an actual stand.
 
Bull****. Plenty of people have claimed otherwise. Yourself included, at least implied so. You just haven't got the balls to take an actual stand.

Your Libertarian crystal ball about what is and isn't implied doesn't change much about your strawman. Either show evidence or run along with it. :shrug:
 
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My experience is the owner often has the ass manager handle holidays.

Big difference between friday and thanksgiving.

There is a huge difference between government jobs (fun to watch so many CONs point to the sacrificing government workers after spending an entire year blasting them as over paid and incompetent) and low wage service sector jobs. You really need Pizza Hut to be open?

Big difference between manning the ramparts of Freedom and a cash register so some dumb ass smuck can buy a can of corn, or pummel each other for one of three cheap TVs in stock.

Once upon a time most of us took the day off to be with family, now it is go-go commercialism.

What I am waiting for is the bracket creep, like there was in immigration. As long as the competition was for picking lettuce or mowing lawns most the middle class just shrugged- no skin off their nose. NOW as immigrants work up the skill ladder, more and more citizens sit up and squawk.

All well and good to snicker at the retail low end workers- until YOUR boss says no more holidays. :doh

There's a certain tinge of judgementalism in your post. That's not me - I'm the type of conservative that isn't interested in or doesn't judge you and your personal tastes or likes/dislikes. Who am I to say that someone who lives alone and can't afford or need a big turkey dinner can't enjoy him/herself and order from or go to Pizza Hut? Likewise, who am I to say someone who likes shopping on their day off shouldn't be able to go shopping if they choose?

One of the main rationales for stores being open 24/7 and on holidays is because many in society these days work two or three jobs and it's hard for them to get to a store during regular store hours. Likewise, if someone forgets that can of corn and the family loves canned corn with their turkey dinner, who am I to disappoint the little ones and not let mom or dad run out and get that precious corn.

Bottom line, there are 11 million people in the US looking for work and unemployed and there are at least that many who've given up trying to find work because there's just not any out there. If opening up some stores on a holiday gives more people employment, thus more money to spend, thus less government money needed to support them, and make them feel like they're contributing, who am I to say that's wrong.

Finally, not once have I "snickered at the retail low end workers" - that's on you. I honor all forms of work. Isn't it funny that you're the second person who's complained about my views and supposedly been supportive of those working on holidays who's found a need to be dismissive and unkind when describing retail workers?
 
They can change jobs. Dislike it from the unemployment line.

WF should fire the lot of them.

I agree that WF should be able to fire them, however, I also agree with the fact they are protesting. No day is sacred anymore and I think that cheapens our country. These people are attempting to draw attention to that.
 
Funny you say that, since US conservatives and Republicans have been looking down (and spitting upon) the "masses" that don't pay income taxes.



Gipper used the phrase, in the first post of this thread.



None of that excludes the option by employees to protest when faced with what they regard as unfair (or unsafe) working conditions. The fact that you agree to work somewhere does not mean you surrender unilaterally to your employer on every point.

Nor is this an example of "entitlement." They don't want to work on a national holiday, and their jobs are not critical in nature. As such, they are well within their rights to coordinate in this fashion.



You also get what you're willing to fight for. If employees can get together and fight (peacefully) to get a holiday off, good on them.

* I doubt US conservatives and Republicans look down on and spit upon those who don't pay income taxes. Isn't it liberals, behind the great Obama, who claim everyone should be paying their "fair share"? Do you think paying nothing is anyone's fair share? I do, but I certainly don't think that upwards of 50% should be paying nothing.

* The person who responded to my post used the phrase, therefore he either agreed with its use or felt it was fair comment - I don't.

* No one is condoning unsafe working conditions - that's not relevant to this discussion at all.

* I have no objection to these people striking - I don't object to anyone taking their own lives into their own hands. I also, however, expect and would condone the dismissal or some other penalty be assigned to any employee who was scheduled to work and didn't show up without a doctor's note or a body cast. You can't assume rights without being able to accept consequences.

* True, retail is not "critical in nature", but if your business's competition is open on the holiday and you're not, that could be a critical mistake and very harmful to your business. That's also not for me to judge - that's the business owner's decision. As long as there are no laws banning retail openings on any holiday, there are no legal restrictions on you opening your store and your employees don't have a "right" to deny you staffing unless they are willing to accept unemployment as a result, if that happens.
 
dam ... it seems I stumbled upon a thread with some folks in a nasty mood ... Did your turkey burn? Wow.
 
GEEZ, this is getting ridiculous. Even 20, 30, 40 years ago, grocery stores were open till about 2pm for anyone who forgot to buy the cranberry sauce or something. I don't get what they're complaining about unless literally every employee is required to be in the store from 6am-10pm.
 
I don't agree that it's strikeworthy, but they shouldn't be forced to work Thanksgiving.

Why not? That's their job. Nobody is holding a gun to their heads, they can quit and go find another job that doesn't require them to work nights, weekends and holidays.
 
Why not? That's their job. Nobody is holding a gun to their heads, they can quit and go find another job that doesn't require them to work nights, weekends and holidays.


I love that fairy tale. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.
 
Why not? That's their job. Nobody is holding a gun to their heads, they can quit and go find another job that doesn't require them to work nights, weekends and holidays.

Not always easy to get a government job, but I agree - why not think big!!
 
I'm sure they have enough people to where everyone on payroll won't have to work. If they went down the seniority line to see who wanted to work and who didn't, that'd be fine. Some employees will want to work, since it won't be for all day, and they'll be making time and a half.

However, if you've been there 2 months and lots of other people want it off, tough crap for them.

That is what I was thinking. I worked, as you well know, in fine dining, and it was the reverse for the front of house staff. We WANTED to work the holidays because you got all these damn happy guests, big parties, automatic 18% gratuity where they almost always tipped on top of that. When I bartended a couple of Christmas parties I made my $25 bucks an hour but what made it great was the $300 dollar tip and the case of Kettle 1 Vodka as a tip. I can see my family the rest of the time...
 
I love that fairy tale. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

It's not a fairy tale, they have the right to find any job that will pay them for their skills. Sorry if you don't understand that. Enjoy your fantasy world.
 
Not always easy to get a government job, but I agree - why not think big!!

Hey, I don't work nights, weekends or holidays and neither does my wife. Of course, we are both educated professionals who have put in our time working our way up, unlike these people who are bottom of the barrel. It can be done, it just takes work, not just a bunch of liberal whining about how unfair things are.
 
How dare people dislike something and then act to change a thing they dislike. That's messed up, man.

Kinda like the Ku Klux Klowns protesting against de-segregation...right?

No one is saying that they can't protest, only that their grevance is stupid; just like the Ku Klux Klowns protestin de-segregation.
 
Hey, I don't work nights, weekends or holidays and neither does my wife. Of course, we are both educated professionals who have put in our time working our way up, unlike these people who are bottom of the barrel. It can be done, it just takes work, not just a bunch of liberal whining about how unfair things are.

Oh, I see the "bottom of the barrel" argument. They don't deserve time with their family because they are bottom of the barrel. :roll:
 
How dare people dislike something and then act to change a thing they dislike. That's messed up, man.

They knew that was part of the job when they took it.

Now they are complaining about it.

How can they think they DESERVE anything?
 
I don't agree that it's strikeworthy, but they shouldn't be forced to work Thanksgiving.

What about people that don't celebrate Thanksgiving and that need to shop today?

Should every retail business be closed?

If you forgot to buy something yesterday for your Thanksgiving dinner, should all retail stores be closed? Where would you get what you need to complete your dinner?
 
Comparing emergency workers to retail doesn't work.

My whole point about values is, if people are fine with other people working on holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving for the sake of convenience, then put your values where your mouth is and be willing to work too. I've a feeling people would change their tune if their own place of business sacrifices holiday for profits. I would ask them why anyone should get the day off at all?

I agree. Hence my point that if people didn't shop on major holiday days, then the stores would not be open.

IMO, most of the holidays in the US have lost its true meaning. Many people see it as a day off and could care less the reason.
 
There's a certain tinge of judgementalism in your post. That's not me - I'm the type of conservative that isn't interested in or doesn't judge you and your personal tastes or likes/dislikes. Who am I to say that someone who lives alone and can't afford or need a big turkey dinner can't enjoy him/herself and order from or go to Pizza Hut? Likewise, who am I to say someone who likes shopping on their day off shouldn't be able to go shopping if they choose? One of the main rationales for stores being open 24/7 and on holidays is because many in society these days work two or three jobs and it's hard for them to get to a store during regular store hours. Likewise, if someone forgets that can of corn and the family loves canned corn with their turkey dinner, who am I to disappoint the little ones and not let mom or dad run out and get that precious corn. Bottom line, there are 11 million people in the US looking for work and unemployed and there are at least that many who've given up trying to find work because there's just not any out there. If opening up some stores on a holiday gives more people employment, thus more money to spend, thus less government money needed to support them, and make them feel like they're contributing, who am I to say that's wrong. Finally, not once have I "snickered at the retail low end workers" - that's on you. I honor all forms of work. Isn't it funny that you're the second person who's complained about my views and supposedly been supportive of those working on holidays who's found a need to be dismissive and unkind when describing retail workers?

If you see a tinge of anything i suggest you re-read your own posts. This isn't about a pizza hut pizza, back when I was a kid you knew almost every retail place would be closed on Thanksgiving so you bought something to eat for that day as most all retail eateries would be closed. I don't see where there is a big call for pizzas on Thanksgiving, and doubt any store makes a profit that day.

Funny you use the poor pay many folks get to justify staying open on Thanksgiving. I do know people who work several jobs, they manage to shop and even attend their kid's activities, you are just tossing crap against the wall for in your world it sticks. :roll:

Odd you want to pander to those who can't plan ahead for one big meal a year... you are waaay too sensitive considering your opinion on personal responsibility in other areas of life. The 7Ps= proper prior planning prevents piss poor performance. most of these stores are not putting more money in the economy through paychecks thus cutting the amount of government money given to the low wage earners- these stores juggle hours to make sure they don't spend more. Obviously you have not been in a Walmart when the lines are long and there are not enough checkers because Walmart knows we will wait in line so no need to have more employees on duty.

I am not being unkind about retail workers- obviously you have not read many CON posts on this. I could never be as snarky as they. No Sir, I am not dismissive, but rather waiting for the day the 'gotta work the holiday' climbs up the payscale and those sitting at home snickering at the retail workers- the CONs are quick to say- if you don't like retail go elsewhere- go on unemployment and so forth.
 
It's not a fairy tale, they have the right to find any job that will pay them for their skills. Sorry if you don't understand that. Enjoy your fantasy world.

the fairy tale is that the average worker can just write off entire industries that might force them to work Thanksgiving because people can't wait one day to buy **** that they don't need.

however, there's a side benefit : retail is ripe for unionisation, and stuff like this will make it happen more quickly.
 
What about people that don't celebrate Thanksgiving and that need to shop today?

Should every retail business be closed?

If you forgot to buy something yesterday for your Thanksgiving dinner, should all retail stores be closed? Where would you get what you need to complete your dinner?

people who want to work Thanksgiving should be able to. people who don't want to shouldn't be forced. i'm happy with that compromise.
 
Whole Foods Employees Strike Against Working on Thanksgiving



Don't wanna work holidays? Don't work retail or service.

Er, false. Employment at whole foods, pizza hutt, etc. at at will, meaning there is no legal contract/law that requires employees to show up.

They are free to not work if they choose not to, and likewise, the employer is free to fire them. Of course, rush limbaugh might have told you that it is illegal to for employees to not show up to work, but that's not true.

F'n wage-scrubs.

A wage scrub is someone who prefers to suck corporate America's **** at the expense of his/her own dignity. Of course, the right to suck corporate America's **** is also guaranteed in a free market. If it weren't, there would be no GOP pols in Congress.
 
people who want to work Thanksgiving should be able to. people who don't want to shouldn't be forced. i'm happy with that compromise.

True, but I suspect rush may be telling his flock that those refusing to work on Thanksgiving in defiance of their employer's wishes are breaking the law.
 
people who want to work Thanksgiving should be able to. people who don't want to shouldn't be forced. i'm happy with that compromise.

There should be no compromise. Employers who want their employees to show up to work on Thanksgiving (or Christmas or Winter Solstice, or whatever) should be able to force them.
 
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