Grocery workers say morale is at an all-time low: 'They don't even treat us like humans anymore'

[Sherman A1]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/08/12/grocery-workers-coronavirus/?

This spring, for the first time, Angel Manners found purpose and pride at the supermarket where she has worked the past decade.

Customers praised her as a hero for putting herself at risk during the pandemic. Bosses boosted her hourly pay by $2. Suddenly, her job was essential.

Nearly five months in, and it is all gone.

“We’ve lost our hazard pay, and people are quitting every day,” said Manners, 43, who processes vendor deliveries at a Meijer store in northern Kentucky. “Those of us who are left are really stretched thin — working so much harder for $11.50 an hour.”
Grocery workers across the country say morale is crushingly low as the pandemic wears on with no end in sight. Overwhelmed employees are quitting mid-shift. Those who remain say they are overworked, taking on extra hours, enforcing mask requirements and dealing with hostile customers. Most retailers have done away with hazard pay even as workers remain vulnerable to infection, or worse. Employees who took sick leave at the beginning of the pandemic say they cannot afford to take unpaid time off now, even if they feel unwell.

[underpants]

1. It's got to suck being in the mask all day

I’m sure there’s some getting used to it but still.

[hedda_foil]

4. What extra money? These folks are employed.

They got an extra two bucks an hour for two months. Most don't make $15 an hour. Some got a small one time bonus. That $600 was for the people who are unemployed.

[AllyCat]

3. I wear a mask all day too. It is annoying, but necessary

Not sure I get used to it, but there is no other way to keep people safe in the hospital. They and we have to be there. So we mask up.

[2naSalit]

5. And so...

When I go to a store, I am extra diligent in letting the workers know that I appreciate them and their dedication to their work. I thank every one of the workers I encounter on my visits to the store. I have worked their jobs in the past and would never want to do it again so I have empathy for their woes. I also tip heavily when I am getting take out or at some place where they have a tip jar, sometimes as much as 100% because I can.

Essential workers are essential.

[murielm99]

7. I always say something kind

to the workers, too. It is more necessary now than ever.

[3Hotdogs]

8. The biggest fraud is the grocery store union.

[Sherman A1]

9. I completely disagree

The local I retired from works very hard for it’s members.

[3Hotdogs]

10. I base my opinion on non-action when Obamacare came into operation.

Employees in local chains were cut to 29 hours per week. New hires limited to 29 hours. Starting wage, $10.50


Union? "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

[Sherman A1]

11. Perhaps that was the case in your area

I am very happy with my Local. I have always had good representation, any question I asked was answered or dealt with very quickly and I have a good pension that arrives each and every month.

During the onset of the pandemic they worked with the local chains to protect the members as best they could. The Local President stated in a video very clearly that any idea to protect the workers he took to management was adopted right away without question.

Unions are not perfect, but I sure am happy that i worked in a Union shop as opposed to not being in one.

[HermitageHermit]

12. how is the union at fault for this?

Did the local union insist that the employer cut hours? Or did the employer do that on their own?

There is only so much a union rep, a business agent or even a union president can do.

[3Hotdogs]

13. Time was, when I was a kid, I recall reading in the paper about unions striking

supermarkets. New Jersey..

Employer cut hours. Union did shit about it.

[HermitageHermit]

14. I was a union rep about 15 years ago worked for a government agency

The average union member didn't want to go on strike then, and I don't think they want to today.
I was a union rep about 15 years ago
A member came up to me during my tenure and told me that if there was a strike, he wouldn't go out. I told him (accurately) not to worry as there was no chance the union would call one.

Calling a strike when the members don't want to isn't a very good idea.

Like I said, I worked for the government. We weren't going out of business regardless of a strike or not. With a store its a different story. Members worry about losing their job permanently if the business closes or if the business loses market share to unaffected businesses. The customers will still eat even if you close down Giant Eagle- they'll go to Walmart or Target or Trader Joes.

I can't fault a union for not calling a strike if they don't think it will go over well or be successful.

[3Hotdogs]

15. My point is that they used'ta did go out on strike.

Now, if they can't defend their members, what is their purpose?