Labour Start just flashed the DU Labor Forum around the world!

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.labourstart.org/usa/

:-)

I am sad to say a national story on the forum is on hold. They don't want to run a story right before I have to study. It wouldn't look good to stop by and not see much activity.

I am also going to have another operation in the near future on my inner ear. More time I won't have to spend on the forum.

OS

[KT2000]

1. You seem to be the

go to guy for things labor.
I have a question I hope you can answer. Are any of the big box stores union? Target, Fred Meyer, Home Depot etc. If such a store was union, would it involve the whole chain or just certain locales where it has been voted on.

I am writing about some of the hazardous situations I have seen in those stores, particularly the handling and contamination by toxic yard chemicals. I have seen weed & feed (2,4,-D) stacked next to the checkout counter where a woman was posted for hours. I have seen where the air system picks up contaminated air from the garden section and recirculates it into the rest of the store.
My thought is that a union presence would help with such matters. No one should be breathing that crap for a full shift.

Thanks for any info about unnions in these type of stores.

[Omaha Steve]

2. Costco treats it's workers well

Many stores tried to be a good place to work. To keep up with Walmart, that is coming to an end. Many of Costco workers, but not near all of them are union. Try complaining to the local health department or a TV station.

[KT2000]

3. FYI

Here is an example:
One time there were broken bags of weed and feed about 4 feet from meat and open produce. The store did not clean it up even adfter 2 days though they said they would. I did call the health dept and they said that they could not do anything unless the bag was directly over the food and spilling onto it.

I am very involved in chemical issues and know that our regulatory agencies do nothing about such things. I am writing for a medical magazine as an alert to medical professionals to consider working conditions in our new age of merchandising. I have collected quite a few anecdotes that illustrate ignorance and carelessness in handling these products.

Thanks for the info about Costco.