My Stop and Shop store workers are in the 7th day of their union's strike.

[CTyankee]

Its pharmacy and People's Bank branch within are unaffected. We are close to the store and have depended on it and now are seeking other options (I might have to go to another supermarket in a nearby town, tho, for regular grocery shopping). I've been going to this store regularly for years and know many of the workers there by name and are deeply supportive of their strike. Striking workers have been handing out leaflets saying that rabbis believe the strike is just.

Today I got some limited food shopping done at a local small store and they are selling out of things fast. It is oriented to the local Jewish community (as is the Stop and Shop) which is feeling this strike and has sold out of stuff I would get in Stop and Shop. They look haggard as it is also Passover (and I don't blame them).

C'mon Stop and Shop! You are hurting people, hurting the practice of their faith, and in so many ways are causing real hardship.

I wish I knew what to do but I stand with the workers, god bless 'em. Be strong!

Edited to add: Joe Biden visited and gave a little pep talk to the strikers (not at my store, but wish it was). Hmm...

[lindysalsagal]

1. I went to the competitor across the street.

[CTyankee]

4. You are lucky! I'm gonna have to go to Hamden via the Parkway...

[LyndaG]

5. Me, Too

There is a Shoprite right across the street. Hope the workers prevail. I've read Stop & Shop made millions in profit last year, yet made cuts to healthcare and Sunday wages.

[CTyankee]

6. Yep. Stop and Shop is scum. Bet they backed Schlump big time!

[NutmegYankee]

2. I always found Shoprite near me had better selections of kosher for Passover goods.

My local S&S is also closed since it has no pharmacy and most of the town is ethical enough to not cross a strike line.

[CTyankee]

8. I wish there was a Shoprite nearby too. Then the Jewish community (which is large in my part of

New Haven) would not be at the mercy of S and S.

[NutmegYankee]

11. Isn't the East Haven one close?

I'll caveat my distances with the fact that I have to drive at least 8 miles to any grocery. The joys of rural CT.

[CTyankee]

12. Not really. We are closer to West Haven and Hamden is one stop on the Turnpike.

[flyingfysh]

3. I drove past some of the picketers today

I honked and gave them a thumbs-up. They seemed to appreciate it.

[TreasonousBastard]

7. Earlier I was listening to NPR interviewing Jews about their mixed feelings...

Judaism generally supports striking workers. But then there is the question of what to do when the only kosher foods are behind the strike line?

Is it more important to support the workers or eat kosher?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

9. Rabbis teach kosher food sold by scabs is no longer kosher.

[CTyankee]

13. I just posted that but self deleted cuz your post came first.

That move by the Jewish community and the striking workers had to hurt the company. Good!

[tymorial]

15. Passover is about workers rights and ultimately freedom from slavery

Crossing the picket line and ignoring the spirit and purpose of the strike is incompatible with passover. It's basically speaking "not kosher" the workers are being unfairly treated and are fighting back. I can think of no better way of honoring Passover than by refusing to cross the picket line even if that means failing to perfectly follow Judaic dietary laws.

[Marrah_Goodman]

14. I live in RI on the CT border

The next closest supermarket is 30 minutes away at least. Fortunately my roomie works at Walmart so she has been bringing home what we need. I know for others in my area this is hurting but I also see an empty parking lot so it is working. They are open but just for limited hours and services.

I stand with the Union, I hope this is over soon.

[CTyankee]

16. I am also worried about the workers at the low end of the pay scale...

men and women who are feeding young children at home. The elderly, particularly the Jewish elderly, who depend on that supermarket for their Passover (and regular) food...it makes me mad as hell...

[durablend]

17. They don't care

"C'mon Stop and Shop! You are hurting people, hurting the practice of their faith, and in so many ways are causing real hardship. "

Parent company is in the Netherlands. You think they have any real loyalty to this country?

[CTyankee]

20. That's true. Sad that the Dutch aren't more caring...but capitalism!

[Sherman A1]

18. If you can

stop and bring them donuts, sandwiches, chips, coffee, bottled water, whatever you can do.

I walked a picket line in front of Schnucks Mkts in St. Louis in 2003 and the honking as signs of support are helpful a few food items are exceptionally appreciated.

[CTyankee]

19. Great idea! Will do!

[flotsam]

21. Something we did during the Market Basket strike a couple years back

Besides the horn honking and dropping off coffee and donuts patrons would go shopping at a competitor and then swing thru the Market Basket parking lot and tape the competitors register receipt to the supermarket door. Lotta fun as the doors became covered with thousands of dollars in sales they lost and it became harder to find an open space to tape yours...and it helped to chase any scabbing customers away.

[Sherman A1]

22. +1000