In Reply to: What you should do!!! posted by Manager on December 09, 1996 at 17:24:42:
> I hear a lot of talk about Unions and what is fair in the McDonald's world
> we all know. Well it is hard to say what is fair. When I first began at
> McDonald's many years ago I thought a union was a great idea and that the
> company could really use one.> As a manager I see things in a different light. I do not think
> that a union would solve all of the problems that come along with under
> payed and over worked positions in all of America. If McD's was
> going to set up a Union we would have many people taking advantage of
> the rights that each employee would gain, which would inturn hurt
> all the good workers.> As long as you are a hard worker and show that you are doing your best
> and really care then things will work out for you. When I first started
> I hated my store manager so much. I loved the crew and most of the other
> managers so I stuck with it.> Today, years later I am very happy that I decided to stick it out and
> work through the problems. There is always someone you can turn to
> when there is a problem in your store.> Just because you are only a crew you do not need to take any crap from
> any manager. If a manager is giving you a hard time that you feel
> is unfair, then you talk to the store manager. If he doesn't solve
> the problem then you must go to the corp. or your owner to solve it.> If you are angry and feel that something is unfair then it is your right
> to stand up for what you believe. I read something earlier about someone
> who was angry because they hadn't gotten their review.> After the first 30 days you should get a 30 day review that says how well
> you are doing (there is no raise involved).> Then after six months you should get another review and at
> this time you will get a raise according to your review.> Remember that if your manager is late with the raise he must pay you back
> pay for every day he was late. If you do not say anything to him or her
> he/she will not pay it to you.> It is your job to keep track of all the dates.
> I hope that this may help you a little to understand the raise system.
> I hope that all of you work out your problems at your stores and stay
> with the company. Remember there is a lot of money within this company
> to be earned and you have every right to get your share.> Work hard and raises will fall in your lap. Trust me I have spent a good
> amount of time as a crew person and I know how hard it can be.> Good luck and please if you have any questions please respond and
> I will answer any and all to the best of my ability!You say as a manager you now "see things in a different light."
Why might that be? Could it be that you no longer have the same
interests? As a manager your interests are in suppressing wage
rises, keeping rostered hours at a minimal level and ensuring each
employee works as hard as possible. As a worker your interests
were gaining wage rises and improving work conditions.
Unions are specifically designed to help workers achieve these.
Is it no wonder then you "see things in a different light."
You also say that you don't think "a union would solve all the
problems that come along with underpaid and overworked positions
in all of America." Obviously. A union is not intended to solve
all workers' problems. They are merely a reform designed to
offset the inferior bargaining position in which workers
naturally find themselves. Unions have limited power as
the unionised air traffic controllers discovered when they
were sacked by President Reagan in the 1980's. Unions are
not the long term answer for workers. That answer is workers
being in control of their own labour. But in the short term
unions are a necessary safeguard for workers' rights.
You then say that "if McDonald's was going to set up a union
we would have many people taking advantage of the rights that
each employee would gain, which would in turn hurt all the good
workers." Even if only some employees join a union, the fact
that the union exists will ultimately benefit all workers -
unionised or non-unionised. Studies have proved that when one
section of the workforce receives pay rises or improvements in
conditions, so will the rest. Please explain how "many people
taking advantage of the rights each employee would gain" would
"hurt all the good workers."
Apparently you are under the impression that "you don't need to
take any crap from any manager." Who says you don't? Usually
workers are required to take a lot of crap from managers.
Workers are constantly told where the door is. Why do you think
going to your store manager, the corporation (of all places) or
the owner will make any difference. All these people have
common interests. Go through this website even half-thoroughly
and you will find many cases where workers have been ignored or
abused by all of those just mentioned.
Furthermore you have an idealistic view that "if you are angry and
feel that something is unfair then it is your right to stand up
for what you believe." Really? Let's say for some naieve reason
that I as a burger-flipper think it's inherently unfair that I work
in hot and stressful conditions for $5/hour while the
Chief Executive Officer rakes in a million or so a year, plus
perks, plus shares etc. Do I then have a right to stand up for
what I believe? Or will I be told to like it or lump it?
Finally you attempt to justify the situation by saying that if
you "work hard" then "raises will fall in your lap." It's that
simple? Usually when workers at McDonald's or any other organisation
make an effort to "work hard," it's used against them. The harder
they work, the harder the rest of the employees are required to
work. Hence the expected rate of productivity rises.
Furthermore, if one does more work in less time, then management
requires them to work less often. Anyway, even if all workers did
"work hard" (as many do) would they all receive pay rises?
I have known many McDonald's workers who worked hard and never
received a pay rise. McDonald's works on the principle that if
you're not prepared to work on their terms, they'll soon find
someone that will. There are only a very small percentage of
good jobs, so it is impossible for all workers who work hard to
go on to better jobs.
I think it's about time you faced facts and realised that your job
is to exploit your workers as much as possible.