tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post67470100610849660..comments2024-02-21T04:52:12.498-08:00Comments on Flights-a-Fancy: My Town Monday: My Union RootsLinda McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291670592316021851noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-59512232108923247372008-11-30T12:41:00.000-08:002008-11-30T12:41:00.000-08:00Anonymous, oh, wow, I've heard retail sales can be...Anonymous, oh, wow, I've heard retail sales can be brutal but that's just beyond the pale. Another reason why unions are a good thing, you've got someone on your side in a dispute with management. (At least that's the way it's supposed to work.) Thanks for sharing,<BR/><BR/>LindaLinda McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15291670592316021851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-56111313076614922672008-11-29T17:00:00.000-08:002008-11-29T17:00:00.000-08:00I would like to comment on working at Macys. I wor...I would like to comment on working at Macys. I worked for over 30 years in the mental health field. After 6 years of retirement I thought I'd get a job at Macys for xmas for "fun". It was not fun. We were barely allowed breaks, or lunch. I was at work for 3 days when the supervisor told me I was not friendly enough to customers. The next week after 2 more days she wrote me up lying that they did this once in awhile. My transgressions were I did not say the customer name until the end (that's when it came up on the screen), did not smile enough, and did not offer the Macys share program (there was one brochure on the floor and no other employees offered it).The next week I was discharged. Thank God my whole career in Mental health as a psychologist was with union facilities. I was also yelled at, criticized, and followed, in front of customers. So even though I always met my sales goal and had several customers raving to the supervisor about me "I was not suitable." I too will never shop Macys again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-65414514254647205362008-09-09T14:34:00.000-07:002008-09-09T14:34:00.000-07:00Beth, you were very brave to fight so hard to unio...Beth, you were very brave to fight so hard to unionize Macy's. That kind of employee intimidation is going on nationwide which is why the Democrats want to pass the Employee Free Choice Act which will restore employees's rights to bargain and get rid of the secret ballot which hasn't worked in favor of unions. We'll see if it can pass.<BR/><BR/>LindaLinda McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15291670592316021851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-59793305265897071512008-09-09T12:57:00.000-07:002008-09-09T12:57:00.000-07:00I know I'm late commenting on this blog but I had ...I know I'm late commenting on this blog but I had to chime in.<BR/>When I worked for Macy's in South Coast Plaza we tried to unionize. The levels Macy's stooped to to stop us were mind boggling. I was followed everyday, my sales closely monitored for any wrong doing and was verbally harrassed by management. I was even turned down for a raise. We were unsuccessful in our attempt to unionize and all of the employee organizers were eventually fired or forced to retire early. I have a great photo of #1 son as a baby on my hip as I spoke at a pro union rally in the parking lot of the store. FYI-Macy's in Union Square San Francisco is unionized. Several of their union reps came down to support our efforts and were appalled at the working conditions, lack of benefits and multiple worker's rights violations. The violations were so egregious that several of us went up to LA to file formal charges with the goverment against Macy's. Macy's later settled.<BR/>To this day I refuse to shop in a Macy's department store.<BR/><BR/>PS-My father-in-law was born just outside of Pittsburgh in Alaquippa. Go Steelers!Beth Yarnallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10456953708066018896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-81633728513869680512008-09-03T09:23:00.000-07:002008-09-03T09:23:00.000-07:00Debbie, I agree that unions aren't perfect. My dad...Debbie, I agree that unions aren't perfect. My dad often said they were killing the goose that layed the golden age. My folks did work hard, though. I'm glad their later years were easier. <BR/><BR/>Rhonda, it was a long move. My dad was very restless, so we traveled more than most people we knew back then. I think I was the only kid in my 8th grade class who'd been to Disneyland. <BR/><BR/>LindaLinda McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15291670592316021851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-78223321408379489272008-09-03T08:29:00.000-07:002008-09-03T08:29:00.000-07:00What a long, dramatic move, though -- from Pittsbu...What a long, dramatic move, though -- from Pittsburgh to California! Your dad had a lot of guts. In those days, people just didn't move so far away. Even now, people usually depend upon jobs to move them.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16467786990577651930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-21148847103186317752008-09-03T06:02:00.000-07:002008-09-03T06:02:00.000-07:00We've had bad experiences in NY with union activit...We've had bad experiences in NY with union activities - activities the leaders insisted upon despite union member objections. With the right leadership, however, I can see the benefits of unions. But, as we see in politics, the 'right' leader is not always the one chosen for the job. <BR/><BR/>btw - I loved reading about your family. I could SEE them struggling and working hard. Funny thing, though, I "saw" them in black and white. LOL. I can tell you're very proud of them. <BR/><BR/>~DebbieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-86622319942129633262008-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:002008-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:00Barbara, sounds like you have quite a background i...Barbara, sounds like you have quite a background in labor law. I imagine the situation for unions is better in Canada than in the US.<BR/><BR/>Britta, my dad was looking for an excuse to leave Pittsburgh and the frostbite was the last straw. He hated that cold weather.<BR/><BR/>Travis, good for getting so involved in your union. I know you enjoyed the trip to Vegas. :)<BR/><BR/>LindaLinda McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15291670592316021851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-17654221982272430262008-09-01T14:02:00.000-07:002008-09-01T14:02:00.000-07:00I am The Maintenance Craft Director and a shop ste...I am The Maintenance Craft Director and a shop steward for the American Postal Workers Union which is part of the Afl-CIO. Just spent a week in Vegas for the convention as a matter of fact so I enjoyed this post.Travis Erwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09420879160702098979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-7869830525994159672008-09-01T11:51:00.000-07:002008-09-01T11:51:00.000-07:00Interesting post, Linda. I especially liked the f...Interesting post, Linda. I especially liked the frostbitten ear=exodus to California part.Britta Colemanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01205625634339087200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-86763955178804850612008-09-01T11:33:00.000-07:002008-09-01T11:33:00.000-07:00Many years ago I was an acting steward for the Alb...Many years ago I was an acting steward for the Alberta Government, and that stint taught me to keep abreast of the labour and employment laws provincially and federally. The unions helped to regulate the working conditions and pay schedules; and for a time I worked as a legal assistant in labour law where I had to keep mum on the fact I had been a steward. I think they were concerned I would want to unionize the law firm. That would be a very good idea, since many smaller law firms do not want to pay overtime when its due.<BR/><BR/>Good post, Linda, as it certainly brings up ideas to consider.Barbara Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00610140328527165017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-7575609904248237462008-09-01T10:57:00.000-07:002008-09-01T10:57:00.000-07:00Good for you, Patti.I agree, Reb, we need the unio...Good for you, Patti.<BR/><BR/>I agree, Reb, we need the unions again.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Barrie. Being able to add a personal touch is one of the neat things about blogging, I think.<BR/><BR/>LindaLinda McLaughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15291670592316021851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-53878168829708483452008-09-01T01:25:00.000-07:002008-09-01T01:25:00.000-07:00I love the personal touch. Great post.I love the personal touch. Great post.Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04678698296265168217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-67906326288366229602008-08-31T23:32:00.000-07:002008-08-31T23:32:00.000-07:00Good post. The unions did a lot of good at one tim...Good post. The unions did a lot of good at one time and I think it may be time for their power to be exercised again.Rebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05318594769530526005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9020480448743700564.post-24819623371141923902008-08-31T17:13:00.000-07:002008-08-31T17:13:00.000-07:00Hey, Linda. I was a shop steward for the CWA in Ph...Hey, Linda. I was a shop steward for the CWA in Philly a million years ago. We had an eight-week strike in support of the IBEW. Those were the days.pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.com