Did you hear about the impending Instacart strike?

My understanding is that they believe that they are working under conditions that do not conform to what is currently regarded as standard or safe regarding exposure to the virus, and they want these concerns addressed.

Not an unreasonable ask in my opinion.

Let them strike. They’re only hurting themselves. Instacart isn’t going to do anything – they have other worries, like staying in business in the first place. The grocery stores work on a tiny percentage profit as well; they won’t pay for insurance or anything like that.

This is probably the worst possible time for Instacart workers to strike, because people have lots of other more important worries.

But it is every American’s right to do stupid things.

I googled and found they were looking into doing something months ago.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/instacart-workers-sick-of-being-screwed-by-the-algorithm-gear-up-for-strike

I hope they get what they want and deserve.

If they are subcontractors it’s sort of odd for the company to provide a lot of things for them like they are employees.

It looks like instacart is going to supply their shippers with hand sanitizer and pays mileage.

I do think they should change the minimum tip to make sure there is a decent tip paid and can be done on the credit card when you book it. You can’t have people giving cash tips right now. Some people are afraid of touching cash.

Interesting they organized through Facebook from @jca2’s link. I said for years retail workers should get together and just refuse to work at midnight Black Friday morning, or work when they are scheduled until 11pm and the next day at 7am. Not so much join a union, but insist on reasonable demands.

Hopefully the start of more.

This crisis has shown us who fuels the economy and are essential. Many of these workers are treated like dogshit and often referred to as “unskilled workers” – delivery workers, supermarket stockers/cashiers/bakers/deli staff, cooks, dishwashers, farm workers, warehouse workers, cleaning services, etc.

Since they have correctly been identified as “essential”, they should be compensated and treated as though they are. They should expect safety, benefits, and compensation.

Also, Whole Foods workers are planning something for tomorrow (“sick out” or strike).

@hmmmmmm I thought Whole Foods pays well. Maybe they are being pushed too hard or not given safety gear.

My supermarket, Publix, cited the CDC recommendation when we asked about the staff not wearing masks. I think they should be. My husband bought fresh sliced deli meat yesterday, and ate some an hour after we got home, and I’m so annoyed about it. The staff there is ALWAYS super careful to wash hands before gloves, clean the machines, etc, but our breath has droplets. You don’t need to sneeze. Plus, if they talk while slicing even more droplets.

I don’t know about the rest of the country, but out here, anyone in the business of delivering ANYTHING is desperate for workers. My phone is deluged with ads from everyone from Whole Foods through Costco begging for drivers. This is probably an ideal time to strike, because an aggrieved employee need only cross the street to find another job.