Help store 652 wants a union

Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

We need help at getting a union because our store manager is from circuit city and she doesn't know how to run a home improvement store so she hires her friend as a sales manger from circuit city at 55k and we have a new OP's that is trying to micro manage everything and writes everybody up and to top it off we have the most corropted HR manager who plays favoritism to the extrem. If we try to say anting to our DM or anyone else we get marked. Evil or Very Mad

That's why we need a union

Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 464

Good luck...

Joined: 01 Feb 2008 Posts: 546

MNK, take a breath. Use a period every now and then. Doesn't sound like it's anyone's business how much the new managers are getting paid. Why does it bother you? Do you have verifiable proof that this new manager is starting out at $55K? Did you see a paycheck or stub or just rely on the rumor mill?

I'm thinking that with new management they are trying to whip that store into shape. Perhaps you should try just going in to work and do your job. People who show up every day on time and work their entire shift with enthusiasm don't get written up. Most write ups are legit. I bet there are things going on behind the scenes that you are not privy to.

It's not a union that your store needs. Your store needs some positively motivated individuals who want to actually work for the money that Lowe's is paying them.

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

I do believe they are trying to whip something in your store and it is those who do not go with the flow. Write-ups are an easy way to get rid of people. In a non Union enviroment, you can be written up without any proof. If you do your work and do it cheerfully, more work will dumped on your the next day. That is the Lowes I know. Things are probably going on behind the scene that you do not know, that being new management from "short" Circuit City making room for their buddies. How do you get positively "motivated" on Lowes "already low" wages? Your store needs an Union. As it stands, management answers to nobody but Lowes, of which, does not care a rat's ass about you or me. They are in it for the money, as is management. $55K for 2nd in command is quite hefty, even for Lowes. I have a friend who was offered a position as store manager at Lowes on the east coast, and the offer was low 60'sK. He turned it down. Smart move. I honestly hope that a Union gets established in a Lowes store. I wish you the best.

Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 110

Skibunny: very nicely put. thank you

night stalker: hard to imagine they offered your friend low 60's to be sm.

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Region 1

Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 98

My area is really hurting right now. Mostly due to the massive amount of people being laid off and jobs being cut. I won't even the mention the number of auto workers out of work. For the record, these cuts are all union workers. The only people I know that are hiring right now are walmart and Lowes. Hmmmm....both non-union companies.

My best friend is an iron worker and belongs to a union. I just borrowed him some cash because he hasn't worked in seven months and just lost his medical. He has a baby on the way and did get a couple days of work here and there but couldnt accept it. Didn't want to mess up his unemployment or something.

I got this cool house for a steal. Well....I got it from the bank after they kicked out the union electrician and his family. The guy a couple houses down the street is a contractor and offered the guy all the electrician work he could handle at $19 an hour. He said the guy laughed at him and proudly stated he was a union electrician and $19 an hour was chump change. Besides, if the union ever found out....he would be kicked out. I guess no work is better then non-union work.

Honestly, I'm not trying to bag unions. I just call it like I see it. I have a job and they don't. Funny thing is, how come every single one of them think I'm the one losing out. Gee....I have a job, money, medical, a home, food on the table........and thats more then they can say right now!

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

Yes, Union jobs are getting cut. So are non-Union ones. The idea is to severely cut back Union membership. Wal-Mart and Lowes are hiring because employee retention is extremely low in those stores. It was good of you to help your friend. As for the electrician, only a fool would say that. Priority one is to provide for your family. As for not working because he would be kicked out of the Union, that is wrong for the most part. If this person who made the offer was a residential contractor, there would be no problem. But if he were to work on an industrial job, one that the Electrical Workers lost to a non-Union contractor, he would not be well liked. Kicked out, probably not. Being called back to work for the Union, highly unlikely. I know several unemployed Union workers. If they are about to lose their home, they will do all in their power to keep it. Your examples, sadly, are of those that have more pride than sense. On the "flip side of the coin", I know of many locals who would rather work a non-Union $10 an hour job than a $20 an hour Union job. Primarily because they hate Unions. That is foolish pride.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 461

Let's be honest here when conditions arise for money people will do things. I know a union contractor that didn't really get work from her union and she had to do work on her own. Does she feel a bit bad about it? Yes but on the same token she has bills.

a sales manager at 55K isn't exactly that high given the numbers I've seen. I'd say that's more dead center in things. That's the middle of a level 3 store (give or take a few grand).

It depends also as to where someone is for the level and there's a min and max.

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Region 1

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 461

Also 60K for a sm I'd say is low...although in all honestly I heard from a good source a former one I had was making only 70K. We were all surprised that he was making such a low amount. I've heard amounts can vary from 60-200K but that's probably including some of the higher bonuses. I think I knew a zm that got some ring award. The big one without a doubt is nbt.

Joined: 21 May 2008 Posts: 6

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure Store managers have very little say over who gets placed in the sales manager position, as I understand it Zone and above is the District managers final decision.

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Region 1

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 59

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

Audiosup, perhaps you have an store staff that really cares and local people and customers who actually are civil and not opportunist like on the mid atlantic region. It also sounds like you alone are responsible for that store's success. Are you "Super Salesman"? Just what is you hat size? Can it be measure by man? MNK1999 is in a tough situation. He is looking for an open hand, not one with a baseball bat in. I hope ALL stores in Lowes goes Union, especially yours. And better yet, I hope your store gets HD management just like his has. If Lowes can get them cheaper, they will get them, even in your Eutopian temple.

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 59

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

Yes, you are right. I erred. It is Circuit City. As for the rest, you are wrong. Why is one a "troll" when he desires to see a better life for himself. Unions are not bad, people are. You are clearly retail and corporate to the core. I bet you push items on people they can not afford, just like a good company man would do. Profit for the store and drive the customer deeper into debt. You may live in a non-Union state or area, perhaps an area of low IQ. Irrellevent? If it does not fit your "grand scheme", it is irrellevent. I just hate to see people who are looking for help get slammed by worthless pieces pieces of feces such as yourself. I have worked Union and non-Union in my lifetime. Union is far better. In light of the current frenzy by corporations to gobble all the what the common people have today, we need Unions now, more than ever. You can take your Japenses team philosophies and put them where the sun don't shine. As for made in the USA, thank people such as yourself for that being a thing of the past. Unions fought to keep production and jobs in this country. It is the Japanese based philosophical companies along with their unquenchable greed, that took jobs and prosperity from us. Bottom line!

Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 2801

Great post Night stalker!

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

Mr. Audiosup, I had a conversation with an a fellow worker about your post and attitude. He is also a 30 years veteran of Lowes. He seems to think your store is located in either Pixley or Dickensville. Which is it? But I have come to one conclusion. With people like you, this country needs Unions more than ever.

Thanks Terminator. I appreciate the support!

Joined: 05 Feb 2008 Posts: 59

Joined: 19 Oct 2003 Posts: 2801

What's a weinner? Very Happy

Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 90

Earth to Audiosup, Earth to Audiosup, come in Audiosup, are you out there? Yes I know the current issues, yes I unfortunately work for Lowes and yes those people do exist. Weiner, no I am not Oscar Meyer.

Lets talk more about wage comparisons and less on smear campaigns.

Joined: 18 Jul 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Region 1

Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 3

from some of the answers here, I see Lowe's management looks at this site too. In tough times all employees take it in the shorts. Management knows that you can't leave and get a job elsewhere, so they make it rough for you. You can say what you want to , but after 7 yrs at Lowe's, employees have no say and no real ear to listen to them.. OPEN DOOR IS WAY TOO OPEN and nothing is safe to discuss with any one. I know, I was betrayed. I stay for several reasons, and money and fame aren't part of them.

Joined: 22 Dec 2007 Posts: 461

Of course you can find a job elseware. It just isn't as easy.

take a look at www.indeed.com they host jobs onthe site that most searches won't get.

Here's some advice

1) save up a bit and go to school part time. Since lowes gives tuition imbursement they can't dictated what times to go to school. This way you can get to go to school and have more of a fixed schedual

2) Get training in areas that you know will apply elseware. Get a power equipment license (definatly the forklift). The more you are on those things the better it looks

3) All management is just two people...the sm and ops...unless you do harrasement then hr can't touch you. Don't take things too seriously. It's a paradox...you can't tell people to rush to do things and then say time is limited...it's either one or the other.