In Oregon, They're Lucky They Aren't Still Getting Around In Horse 'n' Buggies
Government -- things we do together to stop other people from doing business.
Christian Britschgi writes at Reason:
Labor unions in Oregon are taking aim at a new threat to the working man: self-checkout machines.On Thursday, the Oregon chapter of the AFL-CIO, a federation of unions in the state, submitted the first batch of signatures required to get the Grocery Store Service and Community Protection Act on the 2020 state ballot. The measure would forbid Oregon's grocery stores from operating more than two self-checkout machines at a time.
"The widescale use of self-checkout machines in our state's grocery stores is part of a deliberate corporate strategy that relies on automation to reduce labor costs and eliminate jobs," Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlin said in a statement.
Hmm, what might that mean? Cheaper prices in the grocery store? Bigger profits, leading to more spending?
As for why the stores might be going automated -- might it have something to do with minimum wage laws passed in Oregon?
God I hate self checkout
NicoleK at September 27, 2019 11:19 PM
"Grocery Store Service and Community Protection Act"
Don't you just love the lying names they come up with for these bills.
Outlawing self-checkout isn't providing a service nor is it protecting the community.
I use the self-checkout all the time because I am quicker than the slow-as-molasses clerks and I pack my groceries in a way that doesn't smash the more fragile items.
One time I asked the clerk to not throw the cat food cans as they get dented and break open. Her response? "Who cares? it is only cat food." She is the type of person whose job should NOT be protected.
charles at September 28, 2019 7:00 AM
"Grocery Store Service and Community Protection Act"
How about: "The Elevator Safety and Economic Opportunity Act"
which will provide that
"no elevator shall carry passengers without being under the exclusive control of a qualified and certified elevator operator"
At least one million jobs generated!
https://chicagoboyz.net/archives/22815.html
David Foster at September 28, 2019 7:02 AM
Do you expect any less from the state that won't let you pump your own gas? (Although I see they've loosened that restriction a little in 2018.)
Fayd at September 28, 2019 7:42 AM
I love self check. I particularly like the set up at Sam's club. I now purposely throw things in the cart with the bar codes up, so that I can easily and quickly scan with the wireless scanner.
They also have a scanner app for your phone, and you can scan as you shop. Not quite sure how you leave the store, I presume the app shows a bar code when you've completed shopping that shows you've paid.
As for why the stores might be going automated -- might it have something to do with minimum wage laws passed in Oregon?
Of course. Most retail business' greatest cost is labor. Cutting that means they don't have to raise prices, or not as much as they might otherwise. And of course the unions are trying to push something like this thru. Because they've negotiated into their contracts that even the lowest level employ will make $X more than minimum.
More members with higher wages translates into higher dues. And the union bosses getting sweet, sweet perks.
I R A Darth Aggie at September 28, 2019 8:23 AM
In CA, you can’t buy alcohol with self-checkout. What good is that?
KateC at September 28, 2019 8:46 AM
KateC at September 28, 2019 8:46 AM
✓ Affirmed.
Crid at September 28, 2019 11:50 AM
For small purchases, I actually prefer it. I don't have to deal with the petty annoyances of a register line - the cashier, the bagger, the other customers. And I can double-bag something if I want to.
Conan the Grammarian at September 28, 2019 3:07 PM
There are whole classes of things that gov should not be able to pass laws about, including employee-employer relations (min wage, overtime, breaks), plastic bags, straws, etc.
cc at September 28, 2019 4:08 PM
"There are whole classes of things that gov should not be able to pass laws about, including employee-employer relations (min wage, overtime, breaks), plastic bags, straws, etc."
Yep!
Radwaste at October 1, 2019 1:03 PM
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