So I'm a deli clerk. The last hired in my store. Wevw since lost 3 pt and 1 ft person. The reason given for no new hires is the low starting pay. I believe that completely. If we can't hire ppl doesn't this make the next year pure hell for workers? Without the union pay scale we could actually hire the ppl we need. Or maybe wait a year and a half and see how much the union can increase pay so we can actually staff our department and store
While I'm not a fan of the union myself, the payscale is only the small part of the issue.
Kroger does NOT want to invest in its employees outside of training. Honestly, $7.25 is the /highest/ that they'll pay if they can get away with it. Referring to my post in another topic, Kroger is the type of company who would cut corners and invest in as little in employees as possible just to increase profit margin. If it means trying to run a store with a skeleton crew then that's what they'll do.
I work in that department and I was warned before taking the position (I actually didn't even apply for deli) that it was demanding. She wasn't lying. It sucks the life out of me, and the fact that we can't get enough people hired (since I've been there, they hired 6 others, and out of those 6, only three remain, and one is already considering finding another job at another store with a higher base pay (the same place I was considering), and one (FT) is transferring to another store. The guy considering another job gets 12 hours a week if that, and gets 60 bucks take-home pay after union dues.
I understand why people wouldn't want to be back here. Don't get paid enough to go through the crap that we do.
I don't think it's the union's fault their power has been somewhat weakened due to anti-union sentiment. Though they're probably pretty complacent. God, every subsequent contract sucks more. (pharmacy is still on a good one, they got paid for thanksgiving despite not working)
anyway I look at them more like protection - it takes a lot to get fired and we've got that stupid visa card but they can't make us push it, unlike target
and if our pay was tied to our accomplishments - what does that mean? Our ELMS are 90% dependent on other people - do we have enough front end people? are we slammed by check writers and couponers? Dips too, lord that nonsense.
I'm in customer service - do i get evaluated on how many checks I cash or how many returns I process?
I'd rather not get dinged for things going wrong, so I don't mind losing that opportunity
now if we could get more based on department... I'm paid the same as any other clerk in the store so this summer when I had one emergency after another and they were like "oh we don't have anyone to run customer service" well train someone else! (we just lost 2 cs people and maybe a third is going we are soooooo screwed)
The union tries to push for higher wages every negotiation but Kroger is the one who always says "We're not interested in that" every single time.
Kroger argues that insurance is the reason for everything that we give up. If we give up insurance then they would allow the scales to go for higher wages but insurance is very important for us. If you can stick it out for more than a few years you get better wages AND insurance.
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Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
blame politics. If the company makes a proposal and it is voted down by the membership, the company and the union will go back to the table with a medistir from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. These people are supposed to be impartial, and they're supposed to help resolve the impasses that occur between both sides.
this is where phrases like "needs of the business," "prevailing conditions," and "industry standards," come in. Basically, it's like a big civil case, where every precedent that is set by your non-union competitors is used as leverage to push your wages and benefits down.
Just know that most courts, historically, are more apt to side with companies than they are unions.
You're blaming the UNION for low wages and NOT Kroger? Interesting. My union fights for higher wages every year but is continually struck down by Kroger et al.
-- Edited by snailshell on Sunday 14th of December 2014 11:22:43 PM
The union is happy to run in that race as well. Leaving details out when it comes time to vote for contracts, telling members "Its the best we can do". They give up more and more. They just want the dues money. They won't let it go to a strike.
The UFCW only functions as a good cop/bad cop functionary to anyone not employed by Kroger before the turn of the century.
Unless you've been there forever, and are grandfathered by the good ol day contracts... they're more of a hinderance, than helpful. It's an illusion, tricking newer employees into thinking they might actually make decent money there someday.
-- Edited by Turd Ferguson on Monday 15th of December 2014 06:24:20 PM
. . . anyone not employed by Kroger before the turn of the century.
Which century?
. . . the only union that could really deal with Kroger Corporate are the Teamsters .
Even the mighty Teamsters are constrained by state law and whatever contract can be negotiated. Feel free to contact them, though; workers have the right to choose representation, and the Teamsters have a division that includes grocery warehouses.
The UFCW only functions as a good cop/bad cop functionary to anyone not employed by Kroger before the turn of the century.
Unless you've been there forever, and are grandfathered by the good ol day contracts... they're more of a hinderance, than helpful. It's an illusion, tricking newer employees into thinking they might actually make decent money there someday.
-- Edited by Turd Ferguson on Monday 15th of December 2014 06:24:20 PM
Which reminds me i got there "lovely" newsletter in the mail. I know there are mixed reviews about the union on this forum. As far as making decent money at Kroger that's a long shot. Hard to see what real "power" the union does have? With so many "smoke and mirrors" moves this company makes you will make a bit of cash then realize time to move on.
blame the guy that makes 16+ a hour for the last few contracts you know the guy that hates his job and barley does enough to get by. those guys are the reason why the pay scale is where it is so they don't get stuck with guys like that. On paper it looks like it will take forever to get decent pay but if you take the time to learn as much as you can and work hard you can move up pretty quick.
