My manager broke the terms of our union contract in my scheduling this week and I called my union rep about it. This is unacceptable and she's been doing stuff like this ever since she switched to our store. I like her well enough as a human being but the way she treats her employees is inhumane.
For example -- while this isn't technically a breach of the contract -- one of our employees lives a long way away, and our manager keeps scheduling her until 10pm and having her back at 8. Technically this is the minimum amount required between shifts, but it boils down to more like 8 hours between shifts after travel time. Our manager knows this but doesn't care. Sure, it's in her rights to do so, but why cause suffering and make people hate you just for the hell of it? There's literally 40 other cashiers in our department who could take that shift.
At a previous store I worked at, I had to file a union grievance against my store manager for severe verbal harassment. It's a complicated story, but I went home almost in tears after it happened because of the way he was speaking to me. It was awful. I called my union rep about it, and the manager was in so much trouble after that. He almost got fired for it.
Try to talk to the manager first and work it out with her. Have you spoken to your union steward at the store?
As stated here, talk to the manager first. Then, if necessary file a grievance. But, be careful because sometimes if you file a grievance against someone, they might get upset and have it in for you.
Try to talk to the manager first and work it out with her. Have you spoken to your union steward at the store?
As stated here, talk to the manager first. Then, if necessary file a grievance. But, be careful because sometimes if you file a grievance against someone, they might get upset and have it in for you.
True. That's when you get out your notebook and pen and write down every single smart butt comment and retaliatory thing they do. Get some witnesses to. And, file another grievance.
If you file a grievance or even talk to your Union rep, be careful. I didn't file a grievance, but I just talked to my rep about how to handle a couple different situations (verbal abuse...I had an ASM scream, yell, and cuss at me. I was also threatened by another employee. Kroger did nothing about either incident by the way.) The Union rep made it known to store management I had called her....then the retaliation began. The ASM that screamed and yelled at me actually told me "I have the Union rep in my back pocket. I can do whatever I want....she isn't going to do anything."
However, it seems like the ONLY time the Union rep is actually useful is if you get fired. I know we had 2 different people get fired for STEALING cash out of the registers and office at our store. The Union rep got them their job back...but they couldn't work at our store anymore. They transferred to a different store. Another guy (utility clerk) was caught drinking alcohol at work. Same thing...the rep got him his job back...but he had to transfer to a different store.
However, it seems like the ONLY time the Union rep is actually useful is if you get fired. I know we had 2 different people get fired for STEALING cash out of the registers and office at our store. The Union rep got them their job back...but they couldn't work at our store anymore. They transferred to a different store. Another guy (utility clerk) was caught drinking alcohol at work. Same thing...the rep got him his job back...but he had to transfer to a different store.
Now see? Bullsh!t like this is what gives unions a bad rap! These people were clearly guilty as sin, the management team involved was dead-to-rights....but the best that could be done was to pass the buck onto an unsuspecting store. What crap.
