Charlotte, NC -- When former Costco CEO Jim Sinegal addressed the Democratic Nation Convention on Wednesday night, about a dozen conventiongoers held up union signs and jeered him.* Patch caught up with one of them, Karl de Jong, who said he wants to take money out of politics:
What line of work are you in?
I am a union stage hand. The people who install the lighting and the video and the sound here.
Are you in Seattle?
I am in Seattle.
It sounds like you’re not too happy with Mr. Sinegal.
Mr. Sinegal and his corporate folks wanted to lock up the liquor industry that was established as a state industry in Washington, and thus have displaced public workers.
Union workers?
Yes that’s correct. And after an initiative which they spent millions of dollars on, the price has gone up. It’s a bit of a bait and switch for the citizens of Washington. And with their return on investment, I cannot believe that their shareholders decided to spend so much money to chisel away the state liquor business.
Do you feel like he’s being dishonest?
I’m not gonna call the man a liar.
In previous generations, people who disagreed with the party might have been a bit louder.
(laughing) I don’t think I’m sitting here quietly. I’m talking to you. I am holding a union sign that says “Good Jobs Now.”
I guess what I’m trying to say is you’re not out rioting in the street.
I work within the system.
* - CORRECTION - Sinegal was originally identified as the CEO. He formerly held that position, but still retains a seat on the Board of Directors.
His speech was not very inspiring though, in my opinion.
Costco is primarily non-unionized, although some of their Price Club legacy stores were organized shops and remain so — mainly in California and on the East Coast. This is a small fraction of the overall Costco workforce.
Topps, Fred Myers, PCC and I believe QFC are all union shops. The price range on those markets vary. For example, I usually shop at Topp or Fred Myers. The prices are reasonable. In my opinion PCC and QFC are very expensive. All Union shops. Additionally, if you live in Edmonds, like me, you may shop at Petosas. Petosa is not a Union Shop but, the prices are higher compared to Topp and Fred Meyers. Respectfully, your opinion is based on bias not on fact.
Let's look at some indisputable fact. The stores you named are considered expensive, except for Top Foods (which you misspelled.) Fred Meyer is expensive for the rather low quality. Meanwhile, Costco, Walmart and Target are considered inexpensive or high-value. And those three chains are not unionized. Quoting back to you, "Respectfully, your opinion is based on bias not on fact."
Thank your for pointing out my misspelling. I have friends working at Top and Fred Meyer. I know those are unionized shops. And, we can argue about quality of service there. That is subjective evaluation. Personally, I think service is fine. "Let's look at some indisputable fact. The stores you named are considered expensive, except for Top Foods (which you misspelled.) Fred Meyer is expensive for the rather low quality. Meanwhile, Costco, Walmart and Target are considered inexpensive or high-value." Is it just that YOU believe those fact that make then indisputable? I don't agree with that statement at all consequently, and logically, they are disputable.
The only reason I even chimed in is that you told Chris his opinion was biased and not based on fact. In your response to me, it seems a bit of Pot meets Kettle. I perceive - it could be wrong - but I perceive you have an affinity for unions. Do you? If so, why?
Voters decided it was time to end the state liquor monopoly. I feel for those who lost jobs (although I know many found comparable work at retail establishments, including Costco), but this was the right decisions.
And voters did finally approve deregulation of liquor sales last year after several failed initiatives. In my opinion, Costco's lawyers learned from the failed I-1100 in 2010 and wrote into the law a special dedicated tax for public safety in the passed initiative, which seems to have peeled off enough votes to pass it.
All this brings me back to my first job- at a brand new Wallingford Safeway. Joining the Retail Clerks Union under Dave Beck then was not an option. J-
The Seattle area used to be pretty low for violent crime, but 2012 started with a lot of shootings that may skew that.