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Anonymous

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Mgr denied shop steward when I requested one
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About a month ago a co manager tried writing me up for taking my lunch during an 8 hour day, he tried to say it was a break and I was in violation of break policy. He brought both my back up dept head and me into the meeting. After I pointed out a) it was my first time working an 8 hour shift in over the year I have been there, I wasn't aware lunches had to be scheduled in advance b) the department head approved it and c) the 30 mins I was gone, I was clocked out. He folded up the piece of paper he brought to the meeting and lectures me about setting a timer on my phone so I didn't go over my break time. When he asked if I had any questions, I asked why my shop steward wasn't there. He said, "we're just having a conversation, that isn't necessary." I guess I'm confused about us supposedly only having a conversation, he walked in there with a write up. I am sure it was a write up, I could see how the document was laid out, it was a write up! According to my dept back up, someone complaimed I took too long of a break and too many breaks at that (so I guess now we're writing people up based on rumors and not reviewing time records??)

 

Sorry if I got into venting, I feel falsely accused, lied to, and generally loathe this guy on principle. Is this something I should bring up to my shop steward?

 

More recently, Captain Charming, refused to give me a break to take medications for a chronic health condition. He said we were too busy to either talk to me in private and give me a break to take medications. I ended up telling him, quite loudly, across the work area and in front of customers. If I wanted my co-workers to know my business, I would have told them already. This was very embarrassing for me. I can support my health condition, I just wanted it to be private... Is this something I should take to shop stewards as well, or am I being a whiner?



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Anonymous

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Talk to an attorney..you should be able to sue them for millions like i did.



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Anonymous

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They might be trying to get rid of you.

It might also be a corporate weeding process.  I know of 3 people that were fired for taking breaks off the clock.

Refuse to sign a write-up if it ever happens again.  The union can step in and challenge the write-up then.  If you sign, then all bets are off.



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Anonymous

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Signing a write up is mandatory!!! Refusing is insubordination and you can be suspended. If you read the write up, it is like a traffic ticket. It states that signing the write up is not an admission of guilt.



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Anonymous

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Before starting at Kroger, I spent 10 years handling unemployment claims. It is NOT anything like signing a "traffic ticket." In fact, 2 of 3 shop stewards and our union rep have all advised against signing write ups without representation, as there is nothing they can do once it is signed.

 

The above said, I do not fit in in my department as I came to be there after having had a full time job. No one knows why or how I came to be there. You know bc my private business is just that, private. Additionally, a Mgr in a department outside my own reported me to HR, alledging a conflict of interest bc I got a job at another retailer in a skilled position. HR basically told the Mgr to buzz off, the other retailer is in a different market and the job I am doing is not related to my employment with Kroger.



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Anonymous

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I have been written up at work and I am the shop steward. The actual write up states that its not an admission and there is also a comment section for you to write your opinion. I filed a grievance and won. I received a letter of expungment also. Once ypu beat a write up and get a letter of expungment, you are untouchable, as it would look like harrassment



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AnonymousCutter


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Anonymous wrote:

Signing a write up is mandatory!!! Refusing is insubordination and you can be suspended. If you read the write up, it is like a traffic ticket. It states that signing the write up is not an admission of guilt.

 That is incorrect. You have the right to wait for representation before the discussion. You have the right to refuse to sign and write a statement.



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Anonymous

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It seems that you asked about  union representation well into the meeting.  In essence, the co manager is correct in saying to you that it is a discussion even if he has a write up form in his pocket & he pulls it out to for him to read off of it.  As llong as he doesn't have you sign it then it's not a disciplinary procedure.

 

i would suggest to you to always ask up front of any 'discussion' between you and a group of employer type people if this is a disciplinary matter.  If they say yes, then kI fly ask for reprentation on your behalf.  It doesn't have to be a steward especially if one is not there.  It can be anyone you designate who is hourly & in the union to be a witness.  If they refuse, kindly state that you are not comfortable with continuing with the meeting & just sit there with out saying anything more to incriminate you further.

but remember- this can be a slippery slope for you when you take a stand with managemen. They are all pricks who don't appreciate your union rights & will hate you for being anti-corporate.  I think a one on one is a discussion because nothing said can be used against you. It's strange that they had your back up present.  



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mega-kitteh


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Anonymous wrote:

Signing a write up is mandatory!!! Refusing is insubordination and you can be suspended. If you read the write up, it is like a traffic ticket. It states that signing the write up is not an admission of guilt.

 Wrong. If that were true, I'd be unemployed. If company policy states you get 30-60 min of lunch break uninterrupted, then that makes the write up for said. "infraction" null and void



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How about NO?!?

 
Anonymous

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I stand corrected, although in SoCal the contract states you can have a representative from the union present, but you still have to sign the write up as it is not an admission of guilt. Then the union files a grievance to challenge the write up. It is the procedure.



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thedude


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you are suppose to sign it & write next to your name "I do not agree with this"

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I am no longer part of the oppressed, evil workforce of Kroger!  Can you say "Hallelujah"  
Anonymous

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Correct. I mentioned that in a previous thread



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kroagrr


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Re: Federal--State--Local
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. . . in SoCal the contract states you [may] have a representative from the union present . . .

The right to representation comes from and is ultimately protected at the federal level: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/weingarten-rights-union-representation-investigative-interviews.html.  This means all associates covered by a union contract enjoy this right, regardless of state or locality, and in spite of what certain abusive Krogrr kings might try.



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