Union has failed to protect my job

I've been working at a grocery store for the past year, part time. I decided to get this job so I could have a little money to blow on me and the kids. Instead I ended up helping out with odds and ends around here and things were doing well. They also worked with me and my college/kid schedule. It was the perfect job for me being a mile down the road and full of good folks. Well, they announced that they were closing the store due to union/lease disagreements and contracts. Since I am lower seniority and am only part time I am basically lost and forgotten in the company. I'm mostly angry because I supported the union just as much as any other employee, the fees included.

According to the union, my job was protected as long as I abided by the company and union rules. I have...I did...I was dedicated to this job and worked harder then some of my seniors. It's sad enough I tolerated busting my *** for minn. wage.

Angry...the union has failed to protect me and my job.

((( youOme )))

I'm sorry this happened to you.

Losing a job is so hard, especially one you like. I've been downsized similarly though no union was involved, I still felt betrayed. They want our loyalty and dedication when we are employees, then when they decide to close their doors all that is forgotten.

I hope this turns into an opportunity in disguise and you find your next job to be an even better fit and even more enjoyable.

That is too bad the company is closing and you're losing your nice, convenient job with good people. That's the one thing the union can't protect against, the owners deciding to pack it in. My grocery store down the street is employee owned http://www.rednersmarkets.com/ and that looks to be about all a company's employees can do these days to protect their jobs, run the darn thing themselves.

youOme, I come from a union family, so I am very saddened to hear about this. We have always supported unions too. It sounds as if you fell through the cracks.

I am sorry you are losing your job. I really hope you can work something out with another job. I know that is probably not something you want to think about right now...

I'd be angry too!

No union can garuntee a job. Just ask UAW and Teamsters
former members. When the union pushes too much the company pushes back. That's why so many manufactoring jobs are now overseas. Unions had their day but, it is over now. The international corps will take their company out of the country.

I hope that you can find a job again, close by and regain your financial footing.

My DW has been without a job for over a year now, it is very difficult to find good paying jobs anymore.
I work 2 jobs just to keep things above the water mark.

Good luck

YouOMe,

I feel your pain.

I worked for a telecommunications company for 17 years. For the majority of my time there most of the people there worked there until they wanted to retire. The last three years I was there, there were layoffs, and I got caught up in one.

I have been teaching at a community college most recently, and the pay and pay schedule is abominable. Now they are rolling out a new incentive system, where you complete four modules, and attend to workshops, in order to receive $150. I keep thinking you're not paying me enough to make all these demands on me.

Mind you, I take my class work extremely seriously, and am extremely generous and dedicated when it comes to the classes I develop and conduct. It turns out to be more of a ministry, but I feel strongly about investing in my students.

Praying you will find something even better,

EJ

(using 0n-screen keyboard, excuse the mess)

My husband who is a loyal Wal-Mart supervisor says the same thing about the union. He says they were useful at one point, but they deem unnecessary now because of modern employee rights all companies have to abide by. My father in-law has been a federal worker for 15 years and apart of a union, last time we talked he feared being laid off. *shakes head*

Wal-Mart has been offering me a position for the last year and I've turned them down staying loyal to Krogers. Now I regret my decision, the company/union was not loyal to me. It's as though I have been apart of there nickel and dimming and just another expired product on their shelves.

EJ:

I believe teachers are under paid and seriously underappreciated. Teachers must have good hearts to do what they do for what they receive.

BTW...do you remember me? It's Desirae.

im very sorry you lost your job. its very scary to be laid off and have to get another job. You showed your loyalty to the company but they showed none to you. the company laid you off not the union. put the blame where it belongs. A union only makes money from a dues paying member. They dont look to lose members. If a company wants to shut down a store or move they cant stop them.
As far as unions being the reason why jobs have gone overseas, non union jobs have also gone overseas in enormous numbers. Wherever corporations can get the cheapest labor it will go. An example is the textile and furniture industry. Both were centered in the south , both were overwhelmingly non union , but the jobs were still shipped to mexico, malaysia and china. There is no loyalty of corportations to their employees at all unless you are a CEO with a golden parachute.

I hope you get another better job as quickly as possible.

The union negotiated contracts, claiming there would be 40-50 job openings in the area. The Krogers I work for was coded red because of the leasing contract. The employees were told that this specific store was coded red for over a year....the union was aware of this. Instead of 40-50 new job opps., there laying off and transferring 45 employees...I am one of them. I believe both the company and union are to blame...sadly.

If i remember correctly you have kids and its not easy to do with kids but if you can go to school, some of it can be online, there are decent paying jobs in the health care field such as x ray tech and other technical jobs. There are shortages of people for those jobs in many places in the country , im not sure about where you are but you could look into it online. http://www.bls.gov/oco/

your state may have a similiar website. I hope you get back on your feet soon.

YouOme, If I felt the way you do, I think I'd be a wiseass and go to my union rep and demand my dues back? :-)

Unions rarely can do much for people, other than make huge promises and take your money. Oh, yes...they can also protect jobs for those idiots who do not pull their own weight (just try firing someone who is like that).

But, that's just my opinion.

Actually, unions are useful to a certain extent, but there are always ways to circumvent their "so-called" power. Just close down the operation! Then where is the union? And where is your money???

Absolutely EVERYONE IS dispensible!!!

YouOme,

I'm really sorry you lost your job. That sucks. Unfortunately when a company decides to shut down there's not much anyone can do about it & in a union situation it's definitely seniority rules.

Good luck on finding something else.

--splitimage

Thanks everyone for understanding my bitterness. Classes are starting back up so I'll be busy. Either I find another job, luckily get transferred, or not work at all and focus fully on my studies. Which ever happens I'll be alright.