Without knowing exactly what the dispute is about, I still feel that with the economy struggling that labour workers needed to stick together to survive. Hopefully the GM Place staff get a lot of support from Canucks fans and send a good message.

Posted by Andrew Mack on 03/11/09 at 09:08 AM ET

It is not considered crossing a picket line in this situation.  It would only be considered crossing a picket line, if in fact people were going there to man the concession stands, and sell beer.

That is like saying if Starbucks employees are picketing, and i bought coffee, i am crossing a picket line.

Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 03/11/09 at 09:57 AM ET

Andrew Mack - There’s details at the Sun about the particulars of the strike, if you’re interested. Much of it seems to relate to the effect of the Olympics next year on their jobs, but there’s other issues, too.

Gretzky to Lemieux - “Crossing a picket line” isn’t something that only replacement workers do.  It’s also commonly referred to as “crossing a picket line” if you use a product or service normally provided by employees currently on strike, hence the reason the Sun worded it as they did.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 03/11/09 at 10:27 AM ET

“Crossing a picket line” isn’t something that only replacement workers do.  It’s also commonly referred to as “crossing a picket line” if you use a product or service normally provided by employees currently on strike, hence the reason the Sun worded it as they did.

That is pure BS.  Organized labor however, would like you to believe that you are in fact crossing the picket line if you go to the game.  When verizon or bell atlantic workers go on strike, do you choose not to use your telephone so you do not “use a product or service normally provided by employees currently on strike”?  When GM employees strike, do you choose not to drive your car until the dispute is resolved? 

The term “crossing a picket line” is very specific.  It reffers to a person crossing a picket line in order to perform the picketing persons job.  Not a person who is crossing a picket line to watch an event where a person held a job.

Lets for a momment just assume you are correct.  How would going to a hockey game be considered crossing a picket line if the guy who sells beer is picketing?

I have been to many hockey games where i did not purchase any food or drinks.

Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 03/11/09 at 10:41 AM ET

Gretzky to Lemieux - I wasn’t meaning to inflame you, nor am I declaring any position. I was simply explaining why I thought the Sun worded it that way. And of course, you would be correct in saying that the ‘cross’ line (if there is one) would be in purchasing food/drink at the catering outlets in the building, not in simply attending the game. I don’t believe I suggested otherwise, though I should apologize for not being clearer.

Nonetheless, since some people may balk at going past the pickets even just to enter the building, I still thought the question was worth asking.

Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 03/11/09 at 10:57 AM ET

I don’t believe I suggested otherwise, though I should apologize for not being clearer.

Yea, i understand where you are coming from, i just get upset when thinking about organized labor.  As a taxpayer, i believe i have done enough lately to subsidize American organized labor.

Posted by Gretzky_to_Lemieux on 03/11/09 at 11:08 AM ET

Aramark represents the very worst about “American(ized)” corporations. It is no surprise that they have cut so many corners and bled their workers dry. They also charge way too much for their substandard food. It’s all in the credo about “maximizing profit” any which way possible, workers and customers be damned.

Aramark has a stranglehold on many schools in the USA, and some in Canada, for food services, charges high prices and paying workers as little as possible. Meanwhile, students, a group who should have access to cheaper food, get gouged if they decide to give in and purchase any cafeteria food. On some campuses, students living in dorms are forced to opt into expensive meal plans.

Other “Friendly” practices Aramark is known/caught for:
1. Health violations due to cutbacks (rat droppings!)
2. Withholding tips to workers
3. failing to pass on volume discounts
4. Preparing prison food that is so foul and so cheap that officials feared riots.

It’s too bad that the Canucks were suckered into using Aramark, and I know when I go to GM place I try not to purchase too much of their stuff. That said, I have tickets (purchased long ago) for about $100 and will go regardless of the labour situation.

A few education links:
http://media.www.arbiteronline.com/media/storage/paper890/news/2008/08/20/Opinion/Aramark.Leaves.Bad.Taste.In.Wallet-3400223.shtml
http://aramarksux.blogspot.com/

Posted by Jes Golbez from In your pants on 03/11/09 at 12:09 PM ET

I agree Jes. From my experiances with them here in the Uk, they do not have a good name.
Aramark ran the catering at a prison I worked in. They fed the prisoners with low quality swill. I would say deservedly so, but that wouldnt be PC!
The food in the sTAff canteen was under cooked and overpriced. They even sold out of date candy at full price to staff.

Posted by steve-uk from Paisley, Scotland UK on 03/11/09 at 12:52 PM ET

Been a season ticket holder for awhile.  I’m thankful for the bars that are close by so I can get a meal and a couple pints for a decent price before the game so I don’t have to buy the swill they try and serve us at the rink.

Posted by Mark from Vancouver on 03/11/09 at 02:08 PM ET