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Old 09-23-2010, 09:05 AM
 
Location: Chicago, IL
289 posts, read 898,433 times
Reputation: 184

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What is the history behind placing an inflatable rat outside of strike locations? I am always curious as to when The Rat comes into play. Do they threaten to use The Rat or is there a point in the negotiations when all the union guys give each other the high sign like, "We're gonna need The Rat"? Like playing the big Joker in Spades or the Right Bower in Euchre, do they drop it early as a show of force or do they slap it down as a surprise like BOOYAH: The Rat.

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Old 09-23-2010, 09:47 AM
 
Location: Berwyn, IL
2,418 posts, read 6,266,074 times
Reputation: 1133
That's scabby the rat, and he represents 'all that is wrong and dirty' about businesses. You know, according to union folks, at least.
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:02 AM
 
3,674 posts, read 8,672,931 times
Reputation: 3086
There was an article about this a little while ago.

There weren't enough unionized workers available to protest, and of those available no one showed up.

Hence the inflatable rat. There is that whole "not on my property" issue that will eventually shut the rat down, but unions have never been noted for their business acumen.
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:09 AM
 
Location: West Loop
269 posts, read 718,406 times
Reputation: 127
Isn't Redfish closed down now anyways?
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:14 AM
 
Location: Lake Arlington Heights, IL
5,479 posts, read 12,282,201 times
Reputation: 2848
Great, now I have the song from that commercial playing in my head: "Look for the union label................" Ugh, worse than the Lady gaga or Justin Bieber stuff the kiddos play.
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Old 09-23-2010, 10:16 AM
 
Location: Chicago, IL
289 posts, read 898,433 times
Reputation: 184
Quote:
Originally Posted by Muppet123 View Post
Isn't Redfish closed down now anyways?
I took that photo over the summer. It was posted to show an example of the rat as opposed to "Look what I saw today".
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Old 09-23-2010, 11:48 AM
 
16,404 posts, read 30,332,106 times
Reputation: 25514
And the rat is usually accompanied bt two NON-UNION employees hired by the union to stand with it.
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Old 09-23-2010, 12:48 PM
 
Location: Chicago
15,586 posts, read 27,669,943 times
Reputation: 1761
Quote:
Originally Posted by coldwine View Post
...There is that whole "not on my property" issue that will eventually shut the rat down, but unions have never been noted for their business acumen.
It looks like the rat in that picture is on city property.
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Old 09-23-2010, 12:59 PM
 
165 posts, read 372,675 times
Reputation: 90
That's an unusual picture. They usually bring lawn chairs.
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Old 09-23-2010, 01:02 PM
 
Location: Wheaton, Illinois
10,261 posts, read 21,788,002 times
Reputation: 10454
Quote:
Originally Posted by jlawrence01 View Post
And the rat is usually accompanied bt two NON-UNION employees hired by the union to stand with it.

I've stood on many a picket line and met and saw only union tradespeople. Including one this summer that was manned by union boilermakers, pipefitters, operators, laborers and carpenters.

Maybe you lie.
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