Bitter pill to swallow...

LindaS

Yesterday I had to give an employee a $1.05 per hour wage increase simply because they had been on their job for five years. Now this EE has a poor attitude, causes problems with other EEs, abuses FMLA and has general attendance issues. This increase was mandated by our collective bargaining agreement so there wasn't any discretion on management's part for this.

This increase is on top of other collectively bargained increases and comes at a time when the entire non-bargaining unit has been the recepient of a wage freeze for 5 years (myself having had a wage freeze for 3 years), having received absolutely no increases at all!!

We have addressed the problems with this EE using progressive discipline but she has figured out how to "work the system" so she is still here, obviously.

This is truly frustrating!!!

Thanks for letting me vent!

Hunter1

Linda: You need to get out and enjoy the beautiful fall colors that are developing. I have shared your frustration in a number of cases, but you need some kind of release, something to ease the tension.

And get upper management to get off that wage freeze! You must be having compression problems by now, aren't you? Unless you managers were all overpaid to begin with. : )

Don D

What I need is the key to a well-stocked cabin in Wisconsin!!

Hunter1

It's hanging in the wood shed behind the door. It's not well stocked, though. We don't heat it in the winter, so the only thing that won't freeze is something with enough alcohol in it. : ) Just have to make do.

rad

Collective bargaining agreements are hard for most of us. I've seen employees who were dismissed for theft, fighting, attendance, drug use, etc rehired after the grievance process. I have also seen employees who sit on their collective a**es all day get their wage increases, like clockwork. I try to think of it as something I can not control and therefore do not get too frustrated over. But I do feel your pain.

Crout

Linda, when times are tough just think how close you live to Door County. I had to fly halfway across the country, and all you have to do is drive a few hours.