where's my dime?

[gw84]

I work at a [major chain] grocery store making $6.90 to stock shelves. I started out at $6.25 in late 2004. I'm just fed up with the way things work. One would think that if profits were way up that the employees would get some of that...WRONG!!! No matter how good sales are I won't see an extra dime for my efforts. I was finishing up one night in my department when my manager stopped by and told me to make sure it looked good because they were expecting a "big wig" visit the following day. My only response to this was "Why should I care if the visit goes good or not? I'm off tomorrow" I didn't get punished for the comment, but it's the truth. What I was really thinking was "why should I care? I bust my butt every day for $6.90 an hour" and when the store profits are up up up my paycheck is exactly the same rate....it's bull****.
The only reason I'm staying with this job is for the benefits (medical insurance). That's another issue. Everytime our contract ends, they take away a little more. The people in charge (way up there) don't care about the well-being of the employees, all they care about are profits!!! They do anything they can do to save a dime. I've noticed that a lot of products are coming in smaller sizes (ounces/pounds) while the price is going up. If they're saving money on this, the worker should see something for it. "thank you" only goes so far and doesn't put food on the table. Thanks. I needed to vent

[Oz]

Big business only in it for the money?? No way!!

[2.2 Straight six]

That's how business works.

it's all about profit. they want the maximum profit. so if they make more money, and they increase your wage, their profit isn't so big anymore. by keeping your wage constant while making more turnover, their profit increases.

it's simple business.

[doberman_52]

Thats how it goes. All you can do is find a job hat pays a bit more, work there for a few years, and move up the ladder, and get a litle more pay. Sometimes it takes a while.

[gw84]

that's true.. I just found that our raises get bigger after being there for 3 years (october for me). However, there's another issue with all this. Sometime in the coming months, Illinois minimum wage is supposed to be going up (to $7.50 I believe) and of course [we] won't be compensated for the 65 cents that we've accumulated over the past couple of years (everyone under $7.50 will go to $7.50 and no more. In other words, those of us who have worked however many years to get on top will be making the same amount as someone who walks in off the streets tomorrow. That doesn't seem right at all. I know there's nothing I/ we can do about that, but it just seems like a scam. I should be happy that my rate is going up by 60 cents, but with the cost of living and rediculous gas prices 60 cents won't do much. Basically those making around minimum wage aren't being helped, they're just making it seem like that. For that 60 cents, they're raising electric rates to the point that you're actually going to be worse off than before. Just my opinion.
And what about these gas prices? who's ass do we have to kick to get it [back] to 'normal'?

[mike1224]

Originally Posted by gw84

I work at a [major chain] grocery store making $6.90 to stock shelves. I started out at $6.25 in late 2004.

You've got to be joking. That is such a slap in the face for anyone. The baggers where I work make that. Isn't there a union grocery store by you? you'll make a helluva lot more money.

[BeZerK2112]

You could consider yourself lucky. Where I live collage students are in and out of the jobs every semester. Employers dont pay jack because of it. Your lucky if you make 6 an hour. Getting a raise is unheard of becuase they always think you will up and quit when the next semester starts, even if you told them you were not. Stupid Collage Town!

You should move to Colorado. They just upped their minimum to $8.25. Then you can be that jerk who walks in and makes just as much as the guy who's been there for a few years.

You may be able to argue yourself a rase when you've been working there for 3 years. If the law passes and they say we just gave you a rase you can always say, "no the government gave me a rase." and go from there.

I hate inflation. We are stuck paying about 4% more each year for everything. With gas going crazy we cant keep up with anything if we make minimum wage. It seams the only way to make it in the world it to start your own business, but a large percentage of thoes fail each year.

Life sucks!

[gw84]

sad thing is, my job is Union. The insurance is actually quite good it pays like 90% of everything (x-rays, lab, surgery,etc). They're always taking something away when the new contract is made though. However it's still not a glamourous job. BEZERK, that's good food for thought...."the government gave me a raise" I like that! I was thinking of asking for a raise, but what's the point of doing that now if Minimum wage is just going to go up shortly. For the amount of physical labor we do $6.90 is a joke. I could get a nice desk job for more than that! Life is a bitch!

[mike1224]

Originally Posted by BeZerK2112

You could consider yourself lucky. Where I live collage students are in and out of the jobs every semester. Employers dont pay jack because of it. Your lucky if you make 6 an hour. Getting a raise is unheard of becuase they always think you will up and quit when the next semester starts, even if you told them you were not. Stupid Collage Town!

You should move to Colorado. They just upped their minimum to $8.25. Then you can be that jerk who walks in and makes just as much as the guy who's been there for a few years.

You may be able to argue yourself a rase when you've been working there for 3 years. If the law passes and they say we just gave you a rase you can always say, "no the government gave me a rase." and go from there.

I hate inflation. We are stuck paying about 4% more each year for everything. With gas going crazy we cant keep up with anything if we make minimum wage. It seams the only way to make it in the world it to start your own business, but a large percentage of thoes fail each year.

Life sucks!

Wow. i had no idea tjat the minimum wage just raised that high here. Come to Colorado man. I started stocking shelves at $9.60, in two years, made it to $15.66, and been there ever since.... that part sucks though. havent had a raise since about 2003-2004

[mike1224]

and may I ask which chain??

[BeZerK2112]

So your medical insurance... Do you have to pay for that out of your 6.90? How aobut your union fees? If you do, you may not be getting much out of your 6.90 anyways. Just something to consider.

BTW I am from Colorado and going to school in Idaho. My buddy is employed by a grocery store in Colorado and is making over 16 as well. Been working there for a while.

[gw84]

wow!! Our head grocery department guys don't even make that much!!!! I think they're capped out at around $13 or $14.

The insurance is "free" but we do have to pay union dues which amount to around $6.00 a paycheck (one a week) IMO, $24 a month isn't bad. I've used the insurance A LOT since I got it. My only issue with this is that our union doesn't help US. Anytime someone calls the union or brings them in, they defend the company. Also they can't answer questions as well as they should.

[mike1224]

our insurance used to be free.. and to a point it still is, $20/mo. Union is 13 per week. That is a problem with most unions anymore... I do not believe they are for the members, as much as trying to get someone elected into congress, or stuff like that.



Bezerk, where in colorado. im in aurora.

[BeZerK2112]

I guess that kind of counter acts the low wages but I have never heard of free insurance, it has to come from somewere. That sounds like a really crapy union. Unions should be the voice of the employees, not backing up the company.

[mike1224]

Originally Posted by BeZerK2112

Unions should be the voice of the employees, not backing up the company.

At one time they were..... But the union has chenged more into a business than anything else.