I work at a Unionized Fry's in Arizona. I am a very diligent worker but despite the fact my meat manager wants to transfer me to a store 10 miles away, claiming it to be based on hours. The only issue is that my current store is litereally less than a mile from my current home, and I have the highest seniority over the majority of my coworkers. Why am I being forced to transfer due to hours? Is it possible for them to transfer me even though i don't want to be put into a transfer?
are you full time or part time? if you're "low man" on the list of full time staff, then yes it is theoretically possible. although i'm all the way on the other side of the country, check with your union?
That would go against the "energy clause" that in some locals gives transfer preference to people who would be shaving 50 miles or more off of their commute every week.
I am part time. I have the highest seniority out of all our part time meat guys. The only coworkers that have more seniority over me in the meat dept are the fulltime guys.
I am so worried I really don't want to transfer to a store that is 9 miles further than my current store.
I would check with your union on the terms of the contract. The seniority list goes by full time and part time. It sounds like you have a few part-time people on hand. Therefore, if you are in fact higher in seniority the chances of you leaving are slim. However, I am curious to say the least that it sounds like maybe you're not the 'hardest' working member of the staff? I'm not trying to bash you or anything, but i've been pushed to other stores because I wasn't up to 'their' standards.
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I never said I was the "hardest" worker, i'm not sure where you got that from exactly, but I would honestly consider myself to be on the top of the list in my meat dept. I've been working for the company for over 5 years and have trained all the part time employees currently working in our dept.
I was notified of this yesturday via text messages from my meat manager. I told him I was not willing to relocate and appologized, and have contacted the union with no reply yet from them. I was informed later that day that the transfer had already been done and is over with. I am so devastated because the issue is more that I can't make the ride to work 10 miles with my brothers returning to school and using the car i used to use.
I'm so distraught I really don't know what to do :(
You need to talk to your union rep pronto. Under my contract, yours may be different, it says if they need to transfer somebody, the person with the least amount of seniority who can do the job must accept the transfer. If you have more seniority than someone else who can do the same job then you can refuse the transfer. Anyway, I don't know how Fry's differs form Kroger but with Kroger only store management can approve transfers. The department heads may ask for somebody to be transfered if they're not working out but they can't just transfer somebody on their own. Have you thought about transfering to another department. That way you'd be at the same store but you'd be away from that meat manager who apparently has a grudge against you.
yea they can not all the sudden transfer you to another store with even asking for your consent. also - they must schedule you (and all the other part timers) a minimum of 12 hrs per week. feel free to claim any hours of your fellow meat department part timers who have less seniority then you as long as they do not fall below 12 hrs as well. it is my understanding that if there is a desire to transfer - it is up to the employee to choose the store first and it be agreed upon by management then you can decline if that is your wish. being "forced" to transfer isnt allowed
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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
