Let's Talk Union

Unions are an interesting topic. They accomplished a lot in the time they have been around and Unions are largely responsible for the safety laws and federal work laws in place to try to keep things fair for all workers, even if you are not a member of a union.

But here is the thing. I think for the most part, unions have out lived themselves. I recently had the opportunity to join a union because in order to work at the grocery store I presently spend a large portion of my time, I had to be part of the montana grocer's union. It is $75 a month, but there are benefits. There is health insurance and paid vacation after I have been there for set amounts of time as well as career opportunities.

The problem I have is that, after only being their 2 weeks, I have already had to deal with manager b.s. as far as my breaks are concerned and the way it was put to me was this "The way the union mandated breaks work, you get a 15 min break if you hae worked for 3.5 hrs, not if you are scheduled for that much". 

Basically what that means is they can schedule my lunch way early and give me a single break after in an eight hour shift so they get an extra 15 min of work and I only get a break and a really early lunch, which is terrible because I usually eat right before going to work to tide me over. This means that when my half hour for lunch is 2 hours into my 8 hour day, it is no where near when I would normally have food. 

I am paying $75 a month to make just over minimum wage and deal with that kind of b.s. Last I checked, I can go to Wal*Mart and get treated better than I currently do as part of a union. 

I have put in new job applications with other places of business and in the mean time, I get to do just enough at work to be considered doing my job. Maybe it wont be so bad after all.

The Grand Badger