BLOG ENTERY: 8 MIDTERM REVISION

 

UNIONS ARE NECESARRY FOR FAST FOOD WORKERS.

Jobs in the fast food industry are often young adult’s first taste of a working life. Inexperience and easy to control makes teenagers and young adults ideal employees. But young people and immigrants are mistreated and their rights are violated by these ruthless corporations. Living in a democratic country, young people like me have constricted freedom as these companies dictate our freedom of rights. The fast food industry does not allow its employees to join unions. These companies can go to any extent to stop unionization. “A labor union is an organized group of workers, who collectively use the strength to have a voice in the workplace” (Wikipedia).The main purpose of the unions is to fight for worker’s right and oppose big corporations which otherwise is impossible for an individual employee.  The labor union also provide benefits like health insurance, a living wage, better working conditions, immigrant’s right, and worker safety Therefore to fight against the mistreatment and unfairness of these multinational companies and to put an end to exploitation over workers right, it is extremely important for workers to form unions.

The goal of these corporations is to make money by any means. The working conditions are unfair. The workers get minimum wage, no health insurance, no benefits, have no life long careers goals and are often unskilled. Higher percentages of workers are mostly teenagers and immigrants. These jobs require no skills, flexible hours and provide little wage so these employees are willing to work under unfavorable conditions. The companies hire young people because they are easy to manage and lack experience. The adverse consequences are prevalent in our society. In America few teenagers go to college, most of them drop out of school or colleges in order to work in fast food restaurants. My friend who worked at McDonald’s dropped out of school, as she could not manage both study and work.  Her job became a priority for her as she could be independent with the little wage she earned. But now she regrets it terribly as the minimum wage does not support her family.  Also the working conditions and the work itself are very hard. In addition health wise, it is dangerous for workers who work indoor all day long with machines.

As described in the book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser, the fast food companies have adopted the practice of “throughput” which is all about increasing the speed of production (69). The employees are instructed to follow strict rules and produce higher output. Any one not following the orders is fired instantly. In the work sites often times workers are abused and their rights are violated. The companies hire managers who can control employees. This has led to managers mistreating workers and for little reward bonuses managers force workers to work extra time without pay and falsifies hour cards of employees to benefit the companies (75). Another issue that is increasing is crimes that take place in fast food restaurants. The safety of workers is a big concern. Often they are the victims of gun shooting and murders caused by robberies.

A union is necessary as it empowers workers to oppose the corporations. As individually they are worthless to these multinational corporations who can replace anyone anytime. However the fast food industry is against unionization and they will do just anything to stop its employees from joining or forming unions. As discussed in the book, MacDonald’s employees are forced to take lie detecting tests and many tactics were used to make employees confess and reveal secrets (76). And if the corporation discovered union activity then the employees are fired and the franchise is closed.  If any legal action is taken, then the companies hire expensive lawyers to fight its poor employees. The employees are powerless and always defeated.

The government has the power to control the functioning of corporations in the fast food industry. But the government gets donations from these companies so it does not fight for the employee’s rights.  The fast food employees depend upon food stamps and government welfare as they get minimum wage. However if they join unions, the union provides them with health insurance, benefits and can fight to increase wages. Unions can make a difference because if all the workers go on strike the company will face severe loss.  As every hour passes, these companies make millions of dollars. Unions can oppose these companies. Unions will fight for the right of the workers and will provide equal pay for equal work, a living wage and can make fast food jobs a decent job. The companies will be forced to work for the benefits of its employees. Therefore the fast food industry should allow its employees to from unions.

 

 

 

 

 

BLOG ENTERY: 7 THE MATRIX ISSUE

 

 

FACTORY FARMING

 
One of the major issues in the matrix issue is factory farming. Factory farming is a modern type of agriculture and raising livestock’s which requires huge amounts of capitals, large farm lands and minimum labor. Animals are crowded into confined facilities and raised on limited lands, with no excess to fresh air, grasses and sunlight. Using pesticides, chemicals and machinery to grow crops and eliminate intense labor. The advancement in technology and modernization has led to increasing problems of factory farming. The factories are owned by big corporations and in order to maximize profit, everything is produced in large volume. These corporations are not concerned about its costumer and have no regard for the environment, animal welfare, and water quality or food safety.

Animals like cows, pigs and poultry are crowded closely together inside concrete facilities and are only fed grains such as corns and soy which fattens the cattle quickly along with antibiotics. Huge amount of waste is generated but are not treated as treatment is expensive. Animal waste releases harmful gases like methane which causes environmental problems. The wastes are dumped in the soil and mix with water leading to soil and water pollutions. The chemicals and fertilizers also damages soil and pollute water.

Another issue is since these facilities are over-crowded and stressful to animals, making it easy for disease to spread. This eventually causes public health hazards. There are about million chickens and hogs in one facility. And this is the reason for widespread swine flu and bird flu in many countries. Not only the animals but also the people working inside factory farms are prone to diseases. And these factory farm workers are some of the lowest paid workers, mostly immigrants. Also the working conditions inside such facilities are horrifying. Some of the hardest and risky jobs are inside the slaughterhouses. These workers are prone to deadly accidents that take place in slaughterhouses.  The factory farms are owned by big corporations who only aim to make profits. They disregard the welfare of the workers, animals and hardly care about environmental depletion. Corporate owners are socially irresponsible. Family farms are turned into big factory farms where everything is operated with machines. These farms have become threat to small farmers as the prizes of products are controlled by big corporates. The true cost is paid by local farmers and the public who pay heavy taxes.

  But we the consumers can put end to factory farms. These factories started mainly because of demand for such products.  Firstly we can start buying vegetables meats and fruits from local farmers. This way our money goes directly in the hands of the farmer and not the corporates. We have to learn to be sustainable consumers and also become sustainable shoppers. Also we can try to become vegetarian slowly by cutting meat one day a week. Also communities can come together and start community farms. And form groups to spread awareness and encourage local farmers. Low demand will automatically lead to downfall of factory farms and thus we can stop using products produced by big corporates.
People can pressurize the government to impose strict laws against big corporates farms. Thus these are the few things we can do individually and as a community to stop factory farming and encourage local farmers.

 

 

 

 

 

BLOG ENTERY 6: BRAND IDITENTIFICATION

Like most people my morning breakfast consists of cereal and milk especially on days when I do not get time to cook. I prefer buying Kellogg’s cereal because I have been consuming it ever since I was a child, throughout my schooldays and even today.  I remember my grandmother feeding me cereals when I was four or five years old. And she used to explain the nutritional value and importance of eating healthy. She always made sure I ate nutritious foods. This product is in use in my family for many generations now. Knowing this product was consumed by my grandparent’s generation; I trust and feel safe to consume this product. Also I have seen my parents always buying Kellogg’s cereals.

 When I was a kid, different variety and flavor Kellogg’s cereals were available. I remember eating chocos cereal (chocolate flavor), fruit loops (mixed flavor) and star shaped cereals. Also to attract kids, Kellogg’s use to give free toys with two or three boxes of cereals. And sometimes just to have those toys I use to nag my parents to buy them for me. Health wise it is healthy to consume these products as compared to other processed foods. Cereals are rich in fiber, made out of varieties of grains, rich in iron and proteins. It is low in sodium and no fat contain. It is convenient for those who do not have time to cook, it provides all the nutrition. Thus it is preferred by most people. Kellogg’s is available in most countries and consumed by people all around the world. Kellogg’s was founded in 1906 by Will Keith Kellogg and since then has been serving its customers. It can be seen in most breakfast tables in America. Cereals are a healthy way to start one’s day. My family has been consuming Kellogg’s cereals and I certainly love it.