Possible strike!

Why is this a secret to you? Anytime a corp buys up companies of like industries, they most always will eventually merge them to reduce overhead and to standardize on productive best practices. It really is to be expected.

 

If all the people that work for Walmart deserve to make more money and receive health care they would just leave Walmart for another company to get it. It cracks me up that everyone wants to kill Walmart for paying the uneducated and unskilled masses of this country and others minimum wage or just above it. Why should they get paid anything more than that? Does working at Walmart require any skills that anyone off the street couldn't easily learn with a very short training program? The answer is no, and that is why the cashiers, stockers and etc make what they do there. If they go somewhere else it will be for the same wage and benefits.

Again, if you want to improve your pay and benefits improve the skills that you bring to an employer and the open market will require them to pay you.

The Walmart arguement really annoys the crap out of me.

 

I appreciate that, and when I acheive my goal I will do everything I can to make sure people earn a wage that is based on what people in the area make for similar positions. I worked my ass off when I ran our HR department to improve benefits and did a lot of studies to figure out whether we paid fairly in comparisson to the market, and many people received raises as a result of that work. I'm not against anyone making a ton of money if they earn it.

 

Curious to why? You're an employee, not an owner. Last time I checked this was a capitalistic society, not a communistic one. Maybe they should offer a profit sharing plan, but that's for them to decide, not employees. When unemployment drops back down into the 3's again, they might have to devise such a plan to lure in new workers to be competitive in the market.

Not knocking you Rob - please don't take it that way. Just my opinion on the rights of the employers as well. Sometimes we're quick to all jump on one side without looking at the other.

 

Wow!!!

 

I'm really sorry for you. How many little folks did you step on to get to be a salesman. And what do you think will happen to you when you are no longer number one in sales? Oh there gonna find you a nice job to retire in. NOT.

Each of us if lucky may find something that we are great at. But in turn there is always someone looking to overtake us. Your time is a comin. I read your answer and wonder if a fine young college man at 29 really has enough knowledge to speak like a professional. Yeah, you took your MBA and went into HR. Good choice college boy. You found out there was no money in it and had to get a sales job to pay for your college.
You work from home and Oh, and you get to travel. Sounds like a traveling salesman to me. Spend many hours on the computer cultivating a sale, then off in the car, plane you go (discussing technical aspects) "fancy words for a sale". Staying in a hotel and get expenses. Sounds reasonable to me. Company needs money and they have a nice young man with nothing better in his life than going back and forth across the state. I'm likin this job better all the time.

You need to spend a bit more time growing up. Not everyone could be the salesman. Someone has to build the product you sell. I know, you don't think they deserve anything cause they just make "stuff". They whine all the time because of the long hours, low wages, poor or non-existent health care, poor working conditions, no retirement just to line some pissant CEO's pocket or some hard working salesman like you. Boy, your day's a coming. Send us a note and let us know how it goes.

 

Everyone on this board will agree that improving skills is a good thing and should be a goal for all employees.

However, I think some of your earlier posts are barbed with arrogance and some misunderstanding. Unions are protection for the working class they are not for the elite staff of a company and they serve a valuable place in society.

 

Good point. Let's hope I am retired by then! lol.

WOW! What a thread. Touchy subject, unions. Look guys, we all are just trying to earn a living here. Whether Union, non-union etc. We work and provide for our families.

I have made my choice as far as my career goes and I am very happy. Do I think there would have been more cash if I got myself more education, sure. However, I have the best wife in the world and one cool-ass son. Where would I be if I didn't go down this current path? I wouldn't have both of them that's for sure. Shit, I might not even be happy. Let's not forget, it isn't how much you make, it is how much you keep at the end of the week.

For you guys taking pop-shots at us union workers and vice versa is childs play. Grow up would you guys? We all work hard in what we do.

I am glad I am union. It has provided me with alot of nice stuff. And in turn, I have made nice profit margins for the company. They come off looking like a champ from the union worker. We just want to be included in the spoils which we should be. Happy workers make the business go round.

I just wanted to let some people know about the possible strike. Most likely won't happen as it is bad business for both sides.

So for all you union haters, I guess I can't count on your support? Too bad, I hope you get some rotten fruit! Hah ha!

 

Interesting thread. Just a side note here, it looks like Stop & Shop is back at the table bargaining in good faith and there will be no strike. Let's hope so, my wife will not cross a picket line and Big Y is too far to go!

 

She's a union member, UNAP, United Nurses and Allied Professionals.

 

I can honestly say none. Coming from my last position running our HR department I can honestly say that I helped a lot of people in every department in my company. My work kept our insurance benefit costs down, improved our matching principle in the 401k, and my research in to the market comparison of our wages ended up with many people through all levels of the organization receiving raises.

As for being number one in sales, I’m nowhere near it at this point. I’m still learning about our products and how to effectively sell them. I speak with the experienced sales and technical managers at my company every day so that I can learn how to be more effective in my new position.

Does age really have anything to do with experience in managing a business? So are you saying that someone who starts a contracting company as a teenager and turns it in to a multimillion dollar company before he turns 30 isn’t skilled enough to run a business because of his age? I have a friend in that situation; I’ll let him know what you think. In fact that same friend has offered me a position with his company numerous times, but I choose to make my own way.

My job isn’t for everyone, and that is for sure. Some people don’t like to travel, but for me being out 9-12 nights a month isn’t bad. I’m always home on the weekends, and I usually spend Monday and Friday in my home office as well. It fits my lifestyle, and I enjoy working with the architects and owners that I spend most of my time with because I help them improve the efficiency and longevity of their buildings. For me it is pretty cool.

Yes, there has to be someone to make the product, someone to be there to take the order after I make the sale, someone to bill and collect payments etc, and they should all make a wage that is reasonable in the open market for the skills required to complete their job tasks.

Just to let you know, this is the benefits package that I built for those people that I have no respect for because I’m just a punk kid that needs to grow up a little more:

Every other year salaries are compared to the averages in the area to make sure that we are paying within an acceptable range of the median pay for each position.

The company pays 90% of the health insurance premium for employees, and 70% of the premium for their dependents.

The company pays for 100% of the dental coverage.

The company pays 100% for life and AD&D insurance for every employee equivalent to their annual salary plus an additional $20k.

Long and Short term disability.

Each employee receives 3 full weeks of PTO for use, and it increases when an employee hits 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 years of service.

The company puts in up to 6% of any employees annual salary in to their 401k if they max out the match. It is vested 20% per year, so when an employee has been with the company for 5 years they take everything with them.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. I hope you bet against me because I love it when people do……. It just makes me more motivated to succeed. I’m sorry my ambition is threatening.

 

No worries!

Our issue is that the non-union workers will make a VERY handsome bonus after this contract is settled. The company cries poverty, they need to be competitive, etc. So the union gives in on something and then all the non-unions reap huge payouts.
I have no delusions that I am worth this astronomical amount. I mean, I manage a deptartment in a supermarket. However, the fact remains that the market has been VERY profitable. No way that the non-union people were the sole reason for this. All we want is something fair. Do not increase the standard of living for every non-union person and expect to get the savings from us. Give raises to every non-union person and say thanks and tell us we are not worth a raise and are overpaid. It is an insult.

 

The union gave the company a package. The company is mulling it over till Tuesday. I highly doubt there will be a strike. Bad business ya know?

Thanks for the support!

 

I don't like the rhetoric that is put out there from them, and the thought that people should earn more than the free market justifies. If an employer is infringing on the rights of an employee they can call the Department of Labor to get it fixed. The company will get investigated, and the problem will be resolved.

I think that there was a time that unions were a very valuable part of the structure in this country, but in most cases they have outlived their usefulness because government programs have been enacted to do what the unions used to. Any barrier to a company being able to do business within the confines of the law is a barrier that increases unemployment, and makes it harder on everyone. It is my personal feeling that in many cases unions act as a barrier to being able to do business. That is why I don't like unions.

As I said before I do still think there is a place for unions when it comes to skilled/dangerous jobs like iron working, electricians, welders and etc....

 

You seem like a good dude. If every company followed your principles, America would be a better place. However, all of those things you listed are not provided to every worker in America. Some of us never had the chance for education. Others never tried. For me, responsibilities came and my choice was made. I hold no ill-will towards my choice. I have been very smart and lucky in finances and hope to be retired between 55-60. (God-willing) I may not have the coolest toys, but damn, I am one happy dude. And really, isn't that what it is all about?

The problem is, you talk on a soapbox at times. Downtalking it could be called. I am glad you did good by yourself. I am glad you provided a good package for your employees. If everyone was like you, we might not need unions. Granted people have slung mud back, but two wrongs never make a right.

 

Agreed. It is good that you are happy, and congrats on what is looking like an early retirement! That is freaking awesome!

You're right, I can get on my soap box, but I wouldn't have even responded to this thread if someone hadn't said college is only for rich kids. That really gets under my skin because of everything it took for me to get through school.

I'm glad it sounds like things are coming together for your company. Good luck!

 

Wow someone is a little bitter towards college educated people. It sounds to me like he has a good understanding of individual responsibility and making strategic career decisions. Not just chasing the hours or the minimal pay raise. Seems to me like he thinks 2 steps ahead. The job market has changed. People don't stay with companies until they retire like they used to. If you want to diversify your skillset, make more money, and make a nice retirement nest egg for your family you will be left in the dust if you don't change jobs and companies a few times during your career.

If his company decides he's not salesman #1 and lays him off, thats his fault for not working harder and becoming complacent. It's HIS responsibility to find HIMSELF a new job. Its not his company's job to do that. If they do find him one then great, he has made an impression on them enough to take care of them.

Survival of the fittest comes to mind here.

I completely agree with everything he has said.

I'm just another "college boy" myself. But I work hard to have the things I have. I worked full time through the 5.5 years it took me to finish my undergrad degree working during the day and going to class from 6-11pm 4 nights a week. I bought my first house when I was 21 years old completely on my own. I bought my truck on my own. I am thankful for the few things my parents gave me, They gave me a hand me down honda accord at 16 that had 150k miles and made me pay them back for it, they paid my tuition for my first 4 years of college(I went local which was cheaper), The company I worked for paid the rest and I paid for books. I moved out when I turned 19 and paid for all of my expenses during college and ended up buying my first house while I was in college.

Right after I got out of college I was laid off from my company due to downsizing and at 23 years old I found out what its like to be laid off. The company offered to transfer me to chicago but I was not in a position to make a move due to other circumstances in my life. I was out of work for a few months but during that time period I didn't do any complaining. It was a business decision the company made. I did a lot of networking and found a job in a completely different industry went from banking to telecom. Now I am broadening my skillset and plan on changing companies again in a few years to make the next career move. Probably moving out of state somewhere. Keep in mind I also have a small landscaping business on the side and do some contracting work for people based on referrals only.

Hearing all of the people who feel they are entitled to stuff aggravates the hell out of me.

 

Let me start by apologizing. Attacking your age and experience (with people) was incorrect. I do believe experience in issues like this can help. However, that said there are brilliant people out there who are young and very capable of great things.
I was a mid level manager of a very large company with upwards of 50 employees under my management for several years (recently chose to take a prior job back in the union). This was based on money.
As a union member of over 30 years I can say I do not like all that unions represent. There are a few individuals within any union that should be fired. They can be. The difference is that their personal issues or poor performance or lack of must be documented appropriately.
In non-union companies the individual has no protection from employers/managers who for various reasons pick and chose who they may want to get rid of, or lay off. Often, their decisions are based purely on performance. This in itself sounds like the right thing to do however, performance to job is not the only thing.
Today, we have many in the workforce that do require additional flexibility. This includes young, old, weak, women, minorities, language barriers, and those with disabilities to name a few. We can't expect the same of many of these people depending on the job we have them do.

Union vs Non-Union is a touchy subject. Sounds like you are a good person with a great education. Don't dismiss those around you with experience. They can really help you grow. Open market for their skills won't always retain the best workers either. Good luck.

 

nothing makes me more special. I just hate hearing about people who feel like corporations are evil and are out to get them. Business are there to make money. If you feel like your company isn't treating you right, then leave and go work somewhere else. Maybe it wasn't a good fit for you. Many of the people who were laid off with me feel like the company owes them something, complained, cried, etc etc. and a year later they are still looking for jobs because they are holding themselves back having that attitude.