UFCW's Dust_in the Wind
The UFCW's Dust_in the Wind
Just days before a union representation vote at a Wal-Mart store in Windsor, Ontario Dustin Magee, President of UFCW Local 102, is hanging out in the parking lot. The UFCW has been trying to organize the store for months and has just only succeeded in signing up 40% of the workers - the bare minimum required to get a government-supervised representation vote in Ontario.
The days leading up to the vote will be crucial. In order to get certified the UFCW will need to win 50% plus one of the ballots casts. With only 40% of the store's workers signed up, the UFCW is rolling the dice with a vote. Assuming a big turnout at the polls (which is likely in a high profile organizing campaign) their chances aren't good. The fact that they've applied for certification with only 40% after months of organizing suggests that's the best they think they can do. Any missteps on the union's part will cost them. They're hoping for a miracle - something big that might put them over the top.
Dustin Magee is about to go over the top - and off the edge of a cliff. Sitting in his UFCW van outside the store at around 5:00 p.m., the hulking UFCW President is keeping an eye on things. He observes two workers - a man and a woman - who are behaving suspiciously. They're talking to each other.
The radar in Magee's head begins to beep. Workers - future dues units - talking to each other - not a good sign. Workers shouldn't talk - only listen - to UFCW leaders. Beep, beep, beep...What does he do?
Excerpt from: Stories of Violent Men Presser, 2002, p. 36
quote:
Violence is, in effect, identity work when the 'confrontation that finally takes place is between two symbols [Wal-Mart vs UFCW] rather than between two real people' (Toch 1969, p. 121). An identity that lauds violence as heroic spurs more violent confrontation. 9 'Having acquired reputations, some heroes feel that they must live up to these reputations. They must feed them through new heroic acts, which they have to seek out' (ibid., p. 203).
It might be a good thing that Magee was 'relieved of his assignment.'
The average profile for the violent offenders indicates the type described as 'cold-hearted.' Individuals classified in this sector tend to deny being warm, kind, or sympathetic. In its most problematic form, individuals exhibiting this style have difficulty expressing affection toward others, getting along with others, and forgiving others.
This is serious stuff that should be examined before 'Dust-up Magee' is let loose. Self defence is one thing, but if it wasn't, he may need some help.
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Paper - documents - written stuff - workers reading stuff - can't be good - must be anti-UFCW stuff - that guy is against us. He's the enemy. Situation critical. Inside his head, a siren begins to wail. Must stop him!
You scared my cat with the siren. She thinks it's the end of the world. Pretty funny.
But only for UFCW. How does one explain that to poor kitty? Potentate loves her.
Did they send the Dustman to a Wal-Mart parking lot in Manitoba, Saskatchewan or BC? I'd bet that they paid his plane fare to BC to watch the LRB hearings this week.
There's no chance in hell that he'd "punch the headlights out" of any of the LRB guys, now is there?
I think I've figured it all out, walmart is chemically altering the water coolers at ufcw offices across the continent. ATENTION: ufcw staff and keeners - DON'T DRINK THE WATER!
the magee boy isn't the only ufcw dude on the edge. I met a man with seven words; A ufcw head of something or other according to him.
It was a chance meeting, I had noticed a ufcw togue in the crowd and walked over to introduce myself. He ripped his togue from his head, tried to straighten both hairs on his head and introduced himself - like I was supposed to know who the hell he was - I didn't.
We shook hands, I gave him my name and mentioned I was with MfD. His handshake melted, he slapped the togue back on his big fat head and began shouting irrational things at at me - right there in front of a crowd of onlookers.
He was very angry and agressive. The ufcw dude was staring me in the face - the person who his own dumbass union is suing - delusional and shouting - you're slandering me! - you're with Hugh Finnamore! - you're slandering me!
Hey angry ufcw dudes - I was not Finnamore in another life nor am I Hugh Finnamore in drag - I am not Hugh Finnamore!
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posted by siggy:
Hey angry ufcw dudes - I was not Finnamore in another life nor am I Hugh Finnamore in drag - I am not Hugh Finnamore!
I would take all of your new pal's rancor as a compliment.
Could be worse, at least you don't have to grow a beard.
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posted by weiser:
Did they send the Dustman to a Wal-Mart parking lot in Manitoba
I don't know what I would have done if UFCW Local 832 president Robert Ziegler had come to Thompson and assaulted a Wal-Mart employee on the parking lot. That would be unthinkable to me...we don't do things like that in Manitoba. Our membership would have roasted him alive for doing something so stupid, our shop stewards especially. We are the ones doing most of the gruntwork in organizing units like Wal-Mart: the knocking on doors, compiling of lists, cardsigning, etc. To see our leader piss away all of our efforts in an assault on the very people we are trying to convince we can help would ensure that he would never be appointed or elected as president again, at least in my eyes. I have to wonder about those Ontario UFCW locals sometimes, I tells ya!
Nice to heart a voice of sanity.
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Could be worse, at least you don't have to grow a beard.
I think we should organize a ufcw protest, just for the hell of it - just because we can and - I think the protestors should all dress up to look like Finnamore - I've never heard of anyone who could move the biz-u boys like he has.
