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Whole Foods Invades Pittsburgh
by Teamsterturtle
Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2002 at 1:39 AM
Reveals claims of Whole Foods' misconduct
There has been mounting concern these last few months over one of the newest corporate arrivals in Pittsburgh. Whole Foods, a giant chain of mega-market natural food stores, is set to open its doors in East Liberty in late October. While viewed by many as a store that sells wholesome food at affordable prices, the real price of shopping at Whole Foods has come to light. A brief review of information has revealed some interesting facts about our newest corporate entity.
The CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey, is a disciple of right-wing economist Milton Friedman. Mackey believes we are in an age where unions are no longer needed, and has compared unionization efforts to catching herpes.
Whole Foods has also shunned support for UFW campaigns for workers' rights, and has been the mouthpiece for the strawberry growers industry. Whole Foods has gone so far as to have activists outside its stores arrested for speaking to the public about the need to support farmworkers. Many have accused Whole Foods of fronting for public relations departments of various enviro-toxic entities, such as the shrimp industry.
An article by Michael Steinberg, in Z Magazine, has also linked the original owners of Whole Foods to nuclear weapons delivery systems, and revealed the current largest owner as Fidelity Investments (FMR Corporation), which has made some Enronesque moves in recent years.
Below are some sources for those of you who are interested in this monolith threatening to stomp on our East End Food Co-op.
"Whole Foods Market and the B-1 Bomber"
http://www.zmag.org/ZMag/articles/steinberg.htm
"Whole Foods Market Not So Pure"
http://michaelbluejay.com/main/wholefoods.html
"...Whole Foods helps kill sea turtles"
http://www.seaturtles.org/progMaterial.cfm?campaignMaterialID=37
Whole Foods workers' union site
http://www.wholeworkersunite.org/
"Unionizing Whole Foods Would Be Fitting"
http://www.madison.com/captimes/opinion/column/nichols/28205.php
And...if you are still with me, this article in Forbes will probably make you want to puke or go picket Mackey at his home...I'm not kidding.
http://www.forbes.com/global/1998/0406/0101049a_print.html
Madison IMC Coverage WF
by Wisco
Sunday, Sep. 29, 2002 at 11:30 PM
Much more about Whole Foods is available in Madison IMC archive about the only successful WF union campaign in company history.
madison.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=6495&group=webcast
Mackey Attacky
by teamsterturtle
Monday, Sep. 30, 2002 at 11:48 AM
Thanks go out to "Wisco." First, it is nice to know that there are people aware of our new Indy Media site. Second, I was not aware of Father Mackey's sermon on love and forgiveness of his wayward "team." It brought a tear to my eye. I'll be sure to let him know how much it meant if I ever see him in Pittsburgh.
Corporate Control
by teamsterturtle
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002 at 9:41 PM
Further research into the institutional shareholders of Whole Foods indicates that Fidelity Investments, their spin-offs, and subsidiaries, own about 25% of Whole Foods, with American Express next in line at about 12%. Examine the information and draw your own conclusions:
http://biz.yahoo.com/hd/w/wfmi.html
Whole Foods Story "Refreshing"
by Mark Karlz
Saturday, Aug. 09, 2003 at 9:09 AM
I stumbled upon your site while trying to get directions to the Whole Foods store in Pittsburgh. Before reading your article and the other articles available through your hyperlinks, I was not aware of the controversy surrounding Whole Foods and unionization. I was surprised to learn of the news about Mackey and his efforts to suppress union development in his stores. Now that I have read them, I am pleased to announce that I will enthusiastically shop at Whole Foods. Hooray for capitalism, individual freedom and our republic!
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