[gypsychic]

I wonder if the way Publix treats it's employees good or bad is a regional thing? Because here in our small town the employees have been there for a LONG time and seem to love it. Also, this Publix goes out of it's way to hire the developmentally disabled, elderly and other types of minorities. I love shopping at this store, and feel it is the best grocery around, for everything. They have also traditionally paid higher than any other grocery chain that I know of.

[MyHomeIsInOcala]

Maybe they are lowering the wages because today I went there and bought a whole fryer chicken for 0.21 cents! hehehe I felt EVIL taking it to the register! Someone was NOT paying attention in the meat dept. :evil grin:

[riveree]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I wonder if the way Publix treats it's employees good or bad is a regional thing? Because here in our small town the employees have been there for a LONG time and seem to love it. Also, this Publix goes out of it's way to hire the developmentally disabled, elderly and other types of minorities. I love shopping at this store, and feel it is the best grocery around, for everything. They have also traditionally paid higher than any other grocery chain that I know of.

That is a great point - they hire a lot of people with Downs Syndrome, etc. - it's really one of the great things about Publix. I have about 4 Publix store that I frequent, and I'm always moved by this fact each time I shop. I love seeing these employees working there - especially on the front lines bagging groceries and such.

C'mon Publix! Move forward, not backward!

[SouthernBelle3]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

National Labor Relations Act of 1935 - You cannot be fired for joining a union. This is a FEDERAL law. It does not matter what the "State of Florida" says. Federal law takes preference. There already is a national grocery workers union (and many others), and as such, the union's lawyers probably would represent the fired employee, who tried to join the union, in the suit.

People really need to be more informed of their rights.

Sure, we could all form a union in Florida. But, it wouldn't help us in a right to work state. All it would do is take our dues.
The result of low wages are that better employees move on to better jobs while the loudest complainers about the sorry work force their company employs are the very ones who want to pay the least with no benefits. A good employee isn't going to run your business for 30K a year and no benefits when some other company will pay a lot more and provide benefits.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I wonder if the way Publix treats it's employees good or bad is a regional thing? Because here in our small town the employees have been there for a LONG time and seem to love it. Also, this Publix goes out of it's way to hire the developmentally disabled, elderly and other types of minorities. I love shopping at this store, and feel it is the best grocery around, for everything. They have also traditionally paid higher than any other grocery chain that I know of.

That's another thing about them. They DO hire those folks, which is great. They also hire a lot of kids, which is also great, because so few places do anymore.

I REALLY hate to point this out, but the truth is, they hire a lot of these folks because they don't have to pay them very well.

I worked for them in 2002. There were older workers that had been with them for many years, and I started out making more money than them, because I demanded it. I never told those people I was making more than them.

For example, there was a woman that had worked for them as a cashier for about five years, and was making $7 an hour. So no, they do not pay well. Also, at the time, Albertson's paid much more. I have no idea how it is now.

I could really get into how Publix treats its employees, but I really don't see the point.

I will say, even after I left, I still shopped there. It's a good store for consumers. The products are good and the store is very clean.

[HockeyMom72]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

That's another thing about them. They DO hire those folks, which is great. They also hire a lot of kids, which is also great, because so few places do anymore.

I REALLY hate to point this out, but the truth is, they hire a lot of these folks because they don't have to pay them very well.

I worked for them in 2002. There were older workers that had been with them for many years, and I started out making more money than them, because I demanded it. I never told those people I was making more than them.

For example, there was a woman that had worked for them as a cashier for about five years, and was making $7 an hour. So no, they do not pay well. Also, at the time, Albertson's paid much more. I have no idea how it is now.

I could really get into how Publix treats its employees, but I really don't see the point.

I will say, even after I left, I still shopped there. It's a good store for consumers. The products are good and the store is very clean.

Thank you for the information. Knowing what I now know, I will not shop at a Publix. I also do not shop at Walmart either. I will not shop at a place that does not treat their employees fairly. I do not care how CHEAP their prices are. Some things are more important than money.

[HIF]

Originally Posted by HockeyMom72

National Labor Relations Act of 1935 - You cannot be fired for joining a union. This is a FEDERAL law. It does not matter what the "State of Florida" says. Federal law takes preference. There already is a national grocery workers union (and many others), and as such, the union's lawyers probably would represent the fired employee, who tried to join the union, in the suit.

People really need to be more informed of their rights.

Oh, please, we all know how it works- they find something else to fire you for or your future growth within the company is thwarted. People stop talking to you, as they don't want to have their future placed in jeopardy. There are many ways to teach trouble makers a lesson in business.

That law is as funny as the one that says you can't be retaliated against for bringing sexual harassment, religious persecution or racial dicrimination to the attention of management. HAHHAA!

We need more union shops in this state. Pretty soon there will be little to lose and then watch out.

BTW, I went into a Publix that I haven't been to before on the way home from work and it smelled just like a Win Dixie- yuk- I turned around and walked right out. Can't wait for Whole Foods to come here!

[House4Sale]

Let me tell you about those south Fl stores. On any given trip there, one will find cart rustlers, baggers and stockers sitting out in the parking lot, leaning on carts just hangin' out. One guy use to play his radio loud while sitting in the car eatiing fried chicken. Inside is not much better for the stockers are often on cell phones or just standing around blabering up a storm in their native tongues. Never have I had a job where I could get away with these practices. I had to work and still have to work hard for my pay.

As for lowering wages, that's what all the "cheap labor" is doing to and for us. Bringing down our pay scale. Because big business can do it. Who's going to stop them? Who's going to complain? And that is the goal of big business. To bring our pay scale down. With all the new foreign help, they can and are doing it.

[MB2]

OK...I must be missing something......and have NO CLUE, where all this is coming from.
I AM employed with Publix for several years. Yes, we are non-union, which, in my eyes, is a GOOD thing. I have worked up north for union and non-union supermarkets. And, guess what? The non-union supermarket chain is STILL in business right now as we speak!! (Look at the history of union supermarket chains, and,how many went "under", and opened up under different names...but I'm not even going there right now)
We, at publix, did not get notified of pay scale DECREASE, but actually a pay INCREASE, which affects also the bonuses and pushes them higher as well! And that's FACT!!
Everything is based on evaluation and performance, conduct and experience etc. So, if there is an individual lacking it's ability to be punctual (as an example), yes, they CAN take money/ pay away. (I think, that's pretty darn fair!!!) That, however, is being determined at the 6 months interval evaluation period.
Also, new hired employees start up already way above minimum pay scale, and advance rapidly. AGAIN...ONLY WITH GOOD PERFORMANCE!!!!)
Hiknapster had a bad experience, and that's ok as a lesson learned. The retail supermarket bit is not for everyone(Sorry, hiks ...still love ya...lol)
But, there are unqualified managers everywhere, which shouldn't be in the position they are in, because they bull**** their way to the top, and "slip through the cracks".
I'm not making excuses, but, it does happen...even at publix.
But, one post tremendously amused me to no end....*smells like Winn Dixie??????* (Quote)
LOL!!!!!!!!!!! OMG...you can't be serious!!!!
Well, you know what? I treat my customers like GOLD, even though, I am being mistreated by customers every single week! But, the GOOD customers make up for it....

Also, it's funny that people forget what publix does for the community......its HUGE!
And, we are NOT only talking about donations here, because it goes way above and beyond that!
And, people cheer when a publix builds a store nearby. Why? It pushes the property value up (and that's FACT as well!)
Also, publix does NOT hire illegal immigrants. Wal-Mart got in trouble so many, many times already! (If it's not here in FL, it's in CA....seems like they get busted all the time)
Win Dixie has their work cut out, to get out of bancruptcy. As a matter of fact, they are currently in the process of remodeling their remaining stores, restructure, based on the principles of publix!!!! So, that makes me feel pretty good as far as job security goes.
Also, some long time employees retire as multi millionars thanks to publix stocks (not a public exchange), which are doing FANTASTIC!
So, all in all, NO, I haven't heard of ANY pay cuts, except, if you lack at your job and in your job class. You are being paid, what you are worth, and that sounds pretty reasonable to me!
Otherwise, I wouldn't be here working for them, trust me.

[MB2]

Originally Posted by MyHomeIsInOcala

Maybe they are lowering the wages because today I went there and bought a whole fryer chicken for 0.21 cents! hehehe I felt EVIL taking it to the register! Someone was NOT paying attention in the meat dept. :evil grin:

LOL...good for you...lol.
Guess what I do, when a customer comes up to me, and points out an error (at the customers advantage) ?
"Thank you so much for pointing that out....Now go and run with it, and have a nice day"!!!!
I GIVE it to them, because US EMPLOYEES did mess it up in the first place!!
That's what we consider "shrink" and superb customer service ....lol (God, my bosses would be so proud of me right now....lol)