Im full time and work overnight grocery. Problem number one, according our contract, if we are required to stay over, we are not required to later cut that time to avoid OT, however, management will constantly have people stay to finish the truck or condition, etc and then freak out at the end of the week about all the OT and make people cut it, including full timers. According O our contract, were also not required to work more than 40 hrs or stay past our shift, yet if stuff isnt finish and people need to leave, theyre threatened with write ups. The second biggest problem, is nobody is given breaks or lunches the way it is spelled out in the contract. Any associate working 7 or more hours is to be given two fifteen minute breaks, any associate who works 6 or more hours is to be given a 1 hour unpaid lunch, but the lunch can be shortened to 30 mind if both management and the employee agrees. any associate who works 10 or more hours is to be given a third 15 minute break.
Our union steward is also the person who does the payroll every week and is the AA , so they can see everyones punches.Most people just take a single 30 min break. Nobody takes lunches, a couple of times I have punched for a lunch, and nearly every time the AA complains to my DH. when working over ten hours, I dont always take the third break, but occasionally I really just need to sit down and get some coffee or something, so Ill take it. Every time I do, the AA will tell DH that I have been taking extra breaks. Originally when this happened, I spoke with the union rep, and she did confirm we are to be given a third break, and told me she would inform the AA of this. The last time I took the third break, she again, told my DH that I was taking extra breaks and to monitor me, and I each time of course, Im chewed out by the DH, and was told recently that she had said she would start going up the ladder (in other words, inform management) about if it continues. I have tried telling her that you are supposed to be given a third break and a lunch if wanted, but she insists you arent, even though she is the Union steward, and and should know better.
I do not want this to lead to write ups and The drama of having to file a grievance to get it removed, along with argument with the AA and DH, but at the same time, it pisses me off because I am giving $50 of my check every month just to have no rights As spelled out in the contract.
It's obvious the union steward is in cahoots with management. You need to go above the steward's head and contact the union directly. You might need to ask advice from another union steward at another store on how to proceed.
