So, this hasn't crossed my dash yet. (Not blaming anyone, there is soooo much going on in the world and I'd also missed it in the noise).
There is currently a strike at Frito-Lay. in Topeka. These workers are striking because:
They were being forced to work 84 hour weeks. The company's best offer so far is a 60 hour cap. This is shit we fought for a century ago, people.
Their generous offer also includes a whole 4 percent wage increase...over the next 2 years. I'm not sure what COL is in Topeka, but... Well, it's better than the entire 77 cents they've apparently gotten in the last decade.
There's also a report that a worker literally collapsed and dropped dead on the line and the foreman's response was to make them move the body out of the way and put in a replacement. (However, this is unconfirmed and, of course, the company denies it).
There have been multiple OSHA violations at this plant over the last few years, including a forklift accident that's under investigation.
They've now been striking since July 5 but, of course, it only hit the national media yesterday.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/07/14/frito-lay-strike-forced-overtime/
So, why am I signal boosting this?
Because Frito-Lay is refusing to budge. They are attempting to make the excuse that union leadership agreed to the 60 hour work week and crappy pay cut...when union leadership only agreed to put it to a vote.
And this means that we need to put the thumbscrews on them. Remember, this is about 19th century style working conditions.
So, I'm calling on my followers to boycott Frito Lay's until the strike is involved.
Frito-Lay owns:
Lay's
Doritos (Sorry. I really am. I KNOW there's no good alternative to Doritos, although Zapp's are good if you can find them).
Fritos
Tostitos
Cheetos
Ruffles
Sun Chips
Baken-ets
Chester's
Cracker Jack
Islen plantain chips
Funyuns
Grandma's (the cookies)
Matador Meat Snacks
Maui style potato chips
Miss Vickie's
Munchies
Munchos
Rolled Gold
Sabritones
Santitas
Simply
Smartfood
Stacys
The Walking Taco
NatuChips
PopCorners (this one wasn't on their website, but was bought by Pepsi's in 2019 with the intent of adding it. So best avoided just in case). Yes, this really is more than half of the snack aisle. Suggested alternatives:
Kettle Brand Chips
Zapp's (If you can find them. My supermarket had them once and not since, so I'm guessing the culinary cowards in this neighborhood were afraid of "Voodoo" flavored chips).
Pringles
On the Border for salsa.
Wise Cheez Doodles
Bugles
Utz
Store own brand alternatives, if your store has ones that are any good.
Cheez-its
Check before you buy and let's tell these people they don't get to treat workers like that.
This was posted on FB recently by someone supporting the strike!
Aight folks, this shit is unforgivable. I know it might be hard for some of yall, but we simply cannot continue to support a company that subjects its workers to such abysmal conditions. Boycott Frito-Lay, make them listen
Marketing professional here -
Need to drop some truths -
- boycotting the product will get you nowhere. The grocery stores purchase inventory up front and then turn around and sell it to the consumers. Boycotting the product will only hurt grocery stores (wonât shed any tears over Wal-Mart but your mom and pop grocery stores, bodegas, the like, will all hurt as a result)
HEREâS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
-Make a stink on every social media platform
-Make comments on their social platforms on posts that donât even matter or are relevant
-Use trending hashtags related to this as part of your comments.
- @ mention the company in your complaint
-Click on paid ads, let the page load, and then close the browser (companies pay Google for spots and they pay per click)
Why is this important? An enormous budget is allocated for marketing - like, millions of dollars.
When we get a bunch of trolls making comments, creating hashtags, etc. The marketers on the other end take note - it messes up their social calendars and metrics if enough people get pissed and distracts from their original messaging. You know how much of a pain it is to redo an entire social calendar because all anyone can talk about is this issue? A LOT. It can take weeks to do this.
It will also inevitably get sent up the chain to management because all the interactions, likes, etc. we are getting is all negative PR.
Hit âem where it will actually hurt - their reputation and marketing dollars












