Trader Joe's (Prescott: buying, camping, club)

[wretched wrench]

I will add, from having a friend in management at TJs, that they have a very low turnover, even in good markets and good economic conditions. This speaks volumes.

Another article on Joe:

Joe Coulombe | Patt Morrison Asks: Trader Joe's founder Joe Coulombe - Los Angeles Times

The interview fits in with what everyone who knows Joe has said about him over the years. I dated a lady who treated his son, and she got to know Joe, and really spoke well of him.

In this day and age, I almost feel guilty waving the flag for a big company, but fair is fair.

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by everafter

Trader Joe's refers to their management as "full-time" and all other employees as "part-time".

Most of the positions are P/T, the pay scale will be around $8-$10 per hour for those people.

The very few & very demanding F/T management positions will work at least 48 hours a week. As a supervisor you work a descending schedule starting with nights (usually 1pm-11pm) for two nights, the turn-around (usually 7am-5pm) for one day, then super early mornings starting at 4am for your remaining two work days.

I spoke to one such manager and he said that it makes for a horrible life schedule, especially if you have a family, because he was tired all the time and all he wanted to do was sleep outside of work. Rotating shifts are THE WORST shift work a person can do for their health. When I was younger I worked rotating shifts, it caused a slew of medical issues.

Plus the TJ manager I spoke to stated that it is VERY, VERY difficult to get promoted to their "novitiate" or entry level supervisor. The company has become very corporate and promotions are not like they use to be. In other words, the company has gotten really big and is just another "box store".

Trader Joe's is viewed as being a great "college job" not a career job. Unless you are upper management, which only constitutes only a few people, TJ's is no more of a career job than a cashier at Burger King.

While it may only add a handful "career" positions to the Prescott job market, it is not what this town needs in order to turn around. I would take the plane manufacturing plant which would offer 250 career jobs over TJs.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by Esenjay

Your whole post is based on second-hand information/speculation and contains irrelevant medical information. Neat.

Bingo. In my experience, TJ employees are extremely helpful and friendly. You do NOT get that by treating your employees poorly.

[keninaz]

Originally Posted by DellNec

Most of the positions are P/T, the pay scale will be around $8-$10 per hour for those people.

The very few & very demanding F/T management positions will work at least 48 hours a week. As a supervisor you work a descending schedule starting with nights (usually 1pm-11pm) for two nights, the turn-around (usually 7am-5pm) for one day, then super early mornings starting at 4am for your remaining two work days.

I spoke to one such manager and he said that it makes for a horrible life schedule, especially if you have a family, because he was tired all the time and all he wanted to do was sleep outside of work. Rotating shifts are THE WORST shift work a person can do for their health. When I was younger I worked rotating shifts, it caused a slew of medical issues.

Plus the TJ manager I spoke to stated that it is VERY, VERY difficult to get promoted to their "novitiate" or entry level supervisor. The company has become very corporate and promotions are not like they use to be. In other words, the company has gotten really big and is just another "box store".

Trader Joe's is viewed as being a great "college job" not a career job. Unless you are upper management, which only constitutes only a few people, TJ's is no more of a career job than a cashier at Burger King.

While it may only add a handful "career" positions to the Prescott job market, it is not what this town needs in order to turn around. I would take the plane manufacturing plant which would offer 250 career jobs over TJs.

I don't think you have any idea what an entry level job pays in a "manufacturing plant" as you put it. Most of these plants are set up so they don't require skilled labor. Just the facts of life.

[DellNec]

Prescott Council candidates differ on on Trader Joe's deal - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona

Looks like the Trader Joe controversy has Prescott City Council member candidates split & arguing about whether or not the deal was a good idea.

[keninaz]

But does it matter now?
The deal is signed and done.

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by keninaz

But does it matter now?
The deal is signed and done.

It is more for the future deals the city would be involved in. Also, if the TJ's deal goes south, and the city loses money, the candidates who would then be the new council members could claim they disagreed with the TJ deal from the beginning.

I hope they do something different with that intersection because it will become a disaster zone once TJ opens.

Candidate Deborah Thurston shares the same feelings I have, she stated:

"I don't not support them. I simply feel our focus needs to be broader than that. That isn't going to attract jobs that we need to support families. Also, I do have concerns for 'mom and pop' businesses. On the Trader Joe's deal, "Absolutely not. I believe it was a violation of the Arizona gift clause." (see above link in post #105)

I kept saying that also. TJ is not going to bring jobs that will support families. Besides the main manager, the rest of the jobs will be P/T while going to college jobs, in other words low income pay levels. A college student might be able to live off the income while living at home but not a family trying to survive. I also believe that the city SHOULD NOT be playing bank and loaning our tax payer money.

[keninaz]

No if you don't go there it won't.
Never been in one yet, but I may visit after the new wears off just to see why it's so popular.
Then again, I have never been into trends.

[wretched wrench]

Originally Posted by DellNec

Candidate Deborah Thurston shares the same feelings I have, she stated:

"I don't not support them. I simply feel our focus needs to be broader than that. That isn't going to attract jobs that we need to support families. Also, I do have concerns for 'mom and pop' businesses.

Has she spoken out on the "mom and pop" issue before? Or is she just buttering her bread on the TJ issue?

Every big store threatens a little store. Even K mart took business away from Kresge, owned by the same company. This has been going on since the late '50s. TJ will hurt some chain outlets, but the stuff we presently buy from mom and pops will still be bought from the mom and pops.

Patronizing small retailers becomes difficult when their prices are significantly higher, (often double) what a big box store charges. And they don't have good benefit packages for their employees, either.

We could also go back to the '50s and see the chain supermarkets did in the local grocer.

I am not making the case for small retailers vs large, here. Just saying the small businesses seem to be on a downhill slide, and have been for quite a while.

[Zonie5]

what is the big squak about if the jobs are full time or part time ? we have a dearth of eager youths or people who prefer to work part time . one does not need to be with an IQ of a rocket scientist to apply there . if they apply and are happy working there then that is all that counts . i would be the last person on earth to condemn them for working there . at least they won't be feeding at the publics dole .
let them work and be happy . don;t pp on their parade .