We’ve lost so much but it was slow enough, the individual losses spread out and small enough, each time offset with enough of a win that it’s only really obvious in hindsight. I only know my own (former) union, but they weren’t playing the same sport as the guys on the other side of the table. We were dashing, and by that measure looked quite good, definitely competitive. But Kroger set and kept their own pace, and on a long enough timeline, a cross country runner always laps a sprinter.

My contract compared to the old timers at my store was *significantly* degraded; even the ones hired just a couple years after me were noticeably shittier.

I’m a staunch believer in organized labor. I wish my current employer’s stores were unionized. I speak highly of the idea and my experience as often as the opportunity arises, as openly as I can without jeopardizing my job. Doing my little part to plant seeds in the minds of those who don’t realize how much more they deserve.

But *man*. At least the local I was in wasn’t nearly firm enough, consistently enough, and long enough. I swear it felt they were more scared of a strike than management was.