what should i do ?

barada · Guru

what should i do ?

Date: Sep 3, 2010

is this your first suspension for this 'problem'? If so I always thought that the first offense resulted in a warning, followed by a short suspension, then a long, then firing. So if it's your first or second offense, it shouldn't be a big deal. I would call the union and ask to speak to a different union rep and see what you come out with.. Best case scenario is you get reinstated in your job and receive backpay for their failure to get the problem worked out in a timely manner. Now if you've been warned multiple times it may be different. Also if you're still under your probationary period, they may also have the upperhand in the case. good luck, sir

grumpy1 · Guru

Take up the Job ( on a temporary basis) with the other grocery store. On a suspension that is looking at a termination, it will probably go to past stage two to where it will be arbitration. I have known of a few cases, in local 540, to where it has taken months to get thru stage two and not uncommon to go 3 to 4 months or so when arbitration in involved. Let your union be aware that you are not quitting but taking up a temp job until it is settled. Have know of several times , over 20 years, that other members have taken up temp jobs while waiting on different stages of action, until they are resolved. When won then you come back to Kroger and will be made whole as if you never left or was suspended. It does take time and Kroger will drag their heels on most anything hoping for you to just say I quit and walk away from it. Arbitration costs a lot of money and if you quit then it saves them money from not having to pay the arbitration case.

But the other thing I would do is go to UFCW main sight and send a email complaint to the international office about your lack of communication from your local and what is going on. Have found out that there are times you have to hold your locals feet to the fire to get a quick response and sending Washington an email will get that done

Garial · Newbie

Step 3 is where it will be decided whether to go to arbitration or not and really comes down to how much money the Union want to decide to spend. Kroger tactics are keeping people poor till they either give in and quit or resign . I was out of work for over 2 months and spend everything I had .Still in debt after I went back to work at a loss of $5.00/hour .I could of won if I had pushed it but I had a family to support .Now after 21 yrs my reputation is tarnished and my peers look down on me . I would ask myself how much have you got invested in Kroger and decide whether to move on or not but never give in and take your grievance as far as you can .It keeps your options open

barada · Guru

so hang in there seems to be the idea. So thats what i'll do. hell, if nothing else, i STILL got the insurance, so all i need is income.
yeah, thats what my shop stewart told me, they are trying to 'starve me out"
hell will freeze over first.

they kind of skipped steps with my process, which originally, the union said would help, but they latter said while "it would have been nice for them to follow all the steps, they don't have too" which i don't get.
I had no warning, note to file deal. straight write up.
4 months latter, they suspended me three days. and two after that, was this permanent one.
the union did mention, at the first meeting, he thought a termination was a bit much, considering this was my third offence in 12 years.maybe he will play that card latter.
One thing that keeps me going, is if i do win, a crap load of money is coming my way.

Em · Senior Member

I honestly don't believe you can get fired from Kroger. Keep at it.

I would share my reasons, but it's not worth it. I've seen it all and never have I seen someone let go. I've seen people come in high and they still have a job.

grumpy1 · Guru

Last union meeting they have a guy that was terminated falsly and has a grievance filed. It has been a few months and was told they are getting ready to pick an arbitration person for the hearing. The employee will probably get his job back and he is working at another Grocery store for the time being until the decision is made. Once won he will return and be made whole. One thing our local does is when the check has to be cut , the check is cut and sent to the Union so that they can deliver it to you at the job. past experiance has show that Kroger will drag their feet to get you the check and will sometimes loose it.

barada · Guru

heh, took your advice, and got on the union site, about the lack of cummunication, and wouldn't you know, he called me 2 days latter biggrin

got round two one wensday.

grumpy1 · Guru

barada wrote:

heh, took your advice, and got on the union site, about the lack of cummunication, and wouldn't you know, he called me 2 days latter
got round two one wensday.

That is good. Always remember a retired union business agent once told me that sometimes you just have to keep their feet to the fire so you do not get forgotten when gets busy for them

barada · Guru

well, round two, went worse then round one ! even my union rep was stunned speachless by the hatefull attacks on my personal character. he had to keep, saying 'this is about THIS wright up, not a note in his file 8 years old, that he never saw"
the zone guy was pulling stuff from 10 years ago, written by a manager that got fired for stealing karts of groceries out the back door !
madness !
now, it goes to step three. this time, the union seems really pissed at the way this is being handled, and is vowing to fight it all the way.
me, i have lost all hope and faith in this company, and i am getting another job. i won't drop my greivence, but it's obvious kroger is determined to get rid of me, so i can't reliy on someone being objective.
12 years, and a initial costs me my job.

be ready, you will be next

Em · Senior Member

You won't get fired if you keep at it.

Think long and hard about working for a company that doesn't appreciate you.

Shawn33 · Veteran Member

barada wrote:

OK, Iv,e been suspended now, for over 6 weeks, over a initail on a temp log. the union was so sure this was a easy case, no worry. took a month to even have stage one, which failed misiribly. now, i'm still waiting on step two.
I havn't heard from my union rep now for two weeks, despite trying to call him.
My shop stewart still thinks it's going to go my way, and kroger is just stalling.
But the thing Is, my union rep was a complete wuss at the first meeting. wanted to do the beg and plead deal.
now, maybe, he knew it was no use, at step one, and he's saving up for someone more openminded, then a boss with a vendetta.
but I'm less then impressed by how things are going. i can't afford to go forever without a job, and the only things hiring, is walmart, and publix, and if i work for them I'm axed for THAT!
so I'm at a loss here. geting more stressed by the day. anybody got any advise ? is this normal, and i should stick it out ? or am i getting played, shuffled to the back burner, and might as well give it up ?

Ok Union brothers and sisters this is why you NEED TO READ the union contract book! Knowledge is power not a black name badge! In my local this is how it goes One day, 3 days, and 5, days then termination, ever hear the some from Blue Oyster Cult "Goin' Through the Motions"? click here on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yxS4fruYVg alot of people in this company live with the false platitudes that Nazi Germany did and look what happend to them. Management can tell you ANYTHING its up to you to let them know you know how the game is played and when you do they will never bother you and will watch thier P's and Q's cause they know I'll dot the damn I's (eyes)