We initially sent Mr. Oltmans a letter on August 15 informing him of Wild Edible’s labor violations and requesting that he please contact us. He failed to contact us. My colleague Daniel called him, with no resolution.

Months later, Mr. Oltmans continues to knowingly buy seafood from a labor law violator.

On Monday, June 29, I called Jack the Horse and spoke to Mr. Oltmans. He said he is already aware of the labor dispute and is not interested in having a dialogue about this issue.

During this conversation, I offered to show Mr. Oltmans legal documents detailing Wild Edibles’ labor violations. He refused. I offered to set up a meeting for him to meet with the workers. He refused. I asked if he could perhaps get back to me later in the week. He refused.

After making these attempts to initiate dialogue, we feel it is appropriate to inform Jack the Horse’s customers of the labor violations of Wild Edibles.

for two, farmed raised salmon pollute the water they’re in causing algae blooms which in turn kill many of the fish in the area. farm raised salmon also are believed to contain high levels of carcinogens.

i like JtH too, but they can do a better job of choosing their vendors.

Do you guys know Daniel Gross?! The dude went to Harvard and Cornell and writes a blog called “Moneyblog”. Come on, now. If you can’t figure out his interests from that, you’re blind. He’s not out to help anyone – he’s out to get his cut.

“Cheating workers, cheating customers”? – If you’re referring to the farmed/wild salmon debate, you’ve gotta get a new cause in life. There are bigger issues than that!

Possibly the most asinine comment I’ve read on the internet in a long time.

Meanwhile, to sign off on a high note, I recently asked a Trader Joe’s employee if they got health insurance. Turns out TJs gives all full-time employees full health benefits and defines “full-time” generously (21 hours or more.. something like that)

And indeed–as a point of information–whose rights ARE Brandworkers attempting to protect?

I take no sides–I haven’t sufficient information. But history is, as they say, on the side of those who picket.

Perhaps this is a tempest in a teapot. But the reflexive hostility toward the (perhaps too) idealistic young on the part of some posters is worth noting.

“ABC” – Sustainable fish is better for the environment and more companies are moving to sustainable these days. Sorry you can’t always get your wild salmon when the populations are dwindling.

I’ve been following this story and if you’ve been reading about it for the past few years, it’s clear that Wild Edibles is trying to maintain an honest business while Daniel Gross and the Brandworkers are throwing out pointless attacks in the name of “workers rights” – whose “rights” are they protecting?

…often…

…and ordering seafood every time.

So their message–whether you like it or not–is out. Or further out then it was before their demonstration.

I’m not for or against wild edibles as I don’t know much about their particular situation, but that doesn’t make union intimidation tactics any less despicable…