IUTLGTI - Union dues

I Used To Love Going To Ikea.....

Yesterday we planned a trip to the Coquitlam Ikea. But a jack-knived semi on an off-ramp from the Second Narrows made us decide to try the Richmond Ikea instead. Probably one of the less clever decisions of the week.

Driving through rush-hour traffic, Lions Gate, downtown, Granville, Oak street bridge, Richmond... an hour and a half.

As we drive up to Ikea, it is unsettlingly quiet. No pickup trucks driving off with Ikea marked boxes in the back, precariously tied to the moving vehicle by ropes and land-lubbers knots. And most puzzling, a small group of people ambling about with large pieces of paper on their front and back.

A serious looking man informs me that they are on strike for better working conditions.
"Teamsters Union on Strike at Ikea" the pieces of paper say. The serious-faced man, obviously above such decorations, is wearing a collared shirt and no sandwich board.
"The Coquitlam store is still open" he informs me. He shows no sympathy for my hour-and-a-half drive from the North Shore with a small child.


I think I'll start a Union for Shoppers' rights. :-)