Corporate greed has taken its toll on our workplace. The pay is horrible and so are the benefits. They never schedule any hours and they do all kinds of screwy stuff to make sure they aren't responsible for the screw ups. I believe we, as employees, need to take a stand. Individuals can talk but a group effort can make a difference.
I am in a union but they aren't strong enough. Kroger gets by with everything. This is more of a mass walkout or striking situation.
And by being a member of the union, you implicitly state that the union, not you, decides when to strike or walk out.
And, no, kroger does not get what it wants from the union. Our contract expired back last may and we were starting to hear rumors of a strike before it we got the vote on the first draft, which the members voted down. They finally came to a good version that was ratified about a month ago.
I am in a union but they aren't strong enough. Kroger gets by with everything. This is more of a mass walkout or striking situation.
problem is that you seem to be like tooooooooooooooo many others that never show up and put a say in the union and a voice to be heard. if to have 700 members in your local and only 70 votes on a contract then you get what you deserve. Kroger knows how many people show up at a meeting and when you only have a handful or less show up monthly, then you have a weekness that will be exploited. And when you go into contract talks with a low membership ( less than 90% ) then they know you are weak.
The problem is not Kroger getting everything they want ( and they do not ) but the weakness of a local that does not have the complete backing of its members to do what is needed to strengthen its possition to get a better contract and the members that will continue to violate a contract to the benifit of the company.
I've talked to my union representative several times about this. If you are hired in at Kroger paying union dues, there is no way you should be making less than minimum wage at the end of the week. While it may be true that many employees are as involved as they should be in their union, the union as a whole decides and bargains wages and benefits. The point of this is to be aware of how much Kroger makes and how little they pay their employees and cut hours continuously. We are grunts and are not appreciated by our company. I've been here for 3 years and make 7.75. And conditions are horrible. Nobody is happy at my store and I thought that this would be the same at other stores. My contract has been negotiated now for a while and still hasn't reached an agreement. I believe that the employees as a whole and can stand up and ask for better wages and conditions or threaten a strike or mass walkout. Yeah my contract says we aren't supposed to but what leverage do we have if we don't.
Oh and I talk to my union representative quite often. It's not that I'm not exercising my rights as a union member. It's the fact that we don't have many rights and our union book keeps getting smaller. The wages and conditions aren't where they should be for union membera
The wages and conditions aren't where they should be for union membera
I actually totally agree with this...but for a reason that many probably wouldn't expect.
The "pro-union" pamphlets and brochures CLEARLY state that the union the employees will get you better wages. They go on to say without the union, your pay will be lower.
How is minimum wage (below that with union dues) considered competitive, above average, or even somewhat better than other places?
I suppose one could make the argument pay raises could have the potential to be higher with the union, but, at least in my area, with every new contract, the pay raises get SMALLER. And, to top it all off, other grocery stores in my area without the union get better raises and more benefits.
Basically, the union is evil. And, the only people I see defending it anymore are bad employees, "lifers," and ignorant people.
The wages and conditions aren't where they should be for union membera
I actually totally agree with this...but for a reason that many probably wouldn't expect.
The "pro-union" pamphlets and brochures CLEARLY state that the union the employees will get you better wages. They go on to say without the union, your pay will be lower.
How is minimum wage (below that with union dues) considered competitive, above average, or even somewhat better than other places?
I suppose one could make the argument pay raises could have the potential to be higher with the union, but, at least in my area, with every new contract, the pay raises get SMALLER. And, to top it all off, other grocery stores in my area without the union get better raises and more benefits.
Basically, the union is evil. And, the only people I see defending it anymore are bad employees, "lifers," and ignorant people.
The wages and conditions aren't where they should be for union membera
I actually totally agree with this...but for a reason that many probably wouldn't expect.
The "pro-union" pamphlets and brochures CLEARLY state that the union the employees will get you better wages. They go on to say without the union, your pay will be lower.
How is minimum wage (below that with union dues) considered competitive, above average, or even somewhat better than other places?
I suppose one could make the argument pay raises could have the potential to be higher with the union, but, at least in my area, with every new contract, the pay raises get SMALLER. And, to top it all off, other grocery stores in my area without the union get better raises and more benefits.
Basically, the union is evil. And, the only people I see defending it anymore are bad employees, "lifers," and ignorant people.
I work in a non-union position at Kroger, and my wages, pay increases, benefits, vacation time AND PH days are MUCH MUCH better than those who are union..so it's just not at other stores, it's within your store too. I'm not management either!
The wages and conditions aren't where they should be for union membera
I actually totally agree with this...but for a reason that many probably wouldn't expect.
The "pro-union" pamphlets and brochures CLEARLY state that the union the employees will get you better wages. They go on to say without the union, your pay will be lower.
How is minimum wage (below that with union dues) considered competitive, above average, or even somewhat better than other places?
I suppose one could make the argument pay raises could have the potential to be higher with the union, but, at least in my area, with every new contract, the pay raises get SMALLER. And, to top it all off, other grocery stores in my area without the union get better raises and more benefits.
Basically, the union is evil. And, the only people I see defending it anymore are bad employees, "lifers," and ignorant people.
What are "Lifers"?
he means "Life-ers" as in people who will be there long after you quit.
__________________
Would you like fries with th... I mean, your milk in a bag?
As a 24 year Kroger employee at Kroger 599, I can tell you that UFCW SUCKS ASS....I hate them as much as I do Kroger if not more...
The union coddles long term employees such as meat managers and others that kiss ass and end up on the bargaining committee...
Also, I would simply LOVE to know why UFCW makes it near impossible to vote on anything without driving at least 45 miles from my home?
Why can't UFCW simply set up a kiosk at EVERY SINGLE DAMN STORE with a steward to vote? This would dramatically increase membership votes on contracts and make the playing field seem a lot more "level" than simply using divide and conquer techniques among staff that are too new and stupid to realize that they are being whored by older union members that only wish to save themselves...
As a 24 year Kroger employee at Kroger 599, I can tell you that UFCW SUCKS ASS....I hate them as much as I do Kroger if not more...
The union coddles long term employees such as meat managers and others that kiss ass and end up on the bargaining committee...
Also, I would simply LOVE to know why UFCW makes it near impossible to vote on anything without driving at least 45 miles from my home?
Why can't UFCW simply set up a kiosk at EVERY SINGLE DAMN STORE with a steward to vote? This would dramatically increase membership votes on contracts and make the playing field seem a lot more "level" than simply using divide and conquer techniques among staff that are too new and stupid to realize that they are being whored by older union members that only wish to save themselves...
I will stand with you or behind you in your support! Just let me know when you are ready. I'll be right there (or here) rooting you on. I'll get out my drum and fife and practice my union songs right away.
but the one song i won't sing is "we shall overcome" never did care for that one much
__________________
I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger! Can you say "Hallelujah"
