Why is it that we human beings need constant reminders? Or do we? Why don’t you be the judge since this isn’t exactly a profound philosophical question, however, it is worth some pondering.
The idea for this article popped into my head from three recent events:
#1 - I was constantly reminded, no less than four times, before the movie started to silence my cell phone or to turn it off; #2 - I was constantly reminded numerous times on a recent flight to buckle up for safety and to remain in my seat until the pilot had turned off the seat belt sign; #3 - While I was Representative of the Day I received a call from our member who had been suspended for three eight hour shifts by her employer allegedly over violation of company policy. I had to constantly remind her to come down to the local union office and file a grievance so we could represent her. She wasn’t excited about my reminder and felt she was already in enough trouble and that by filing a grievance it could make things worse. I recognized her anxiety and fear because sometimes store management will retaliate against our members in very devious ways for exercising their rights under the contract. However, I said “Look, you’re already in trouble and being punished so therefore you need to protect yourself by filing a grievance so that we can investigate your circumstances and do our best to represent you”. I had to constantly remind her of her rights and do my best to reduce her level of anxiety and fear. After all of my CONSTANT REMINDERS, it didn’t work because while she did come to our office she nevertheless refused to file a grievance.
So let me tell you what happened to her while protecting her privacy. While checking out a customer, she failed to ask the customer if he wanted to make a donation to the current charity being sponsored by her employer. It is the company’s advertised policy that each checker solicit this donation; if a request is not made the customer is entitled to a free item. The customer complained to the front end manager and was given a FREE two liter bottle of soda pop. When the front end manager and customer asked her why she hadn’t asked for a donation she replied because he had paid with FOOD STAMPS. Needless to say the customer became very agitated and irate, so much so that he filed a Small Claims Court action against the cashier and the employer. Now the cashier and her employer are codefendants in an upcoming court action wherein the customer is seeking $7,500.00 in damages for embarrassment and emotional distress. I advised her during the course of my conversation with her that we would help her through this matter, even though she didn’t file a grievance
CONSTANT REMINDERS TO OUR MEMBERS THAT THEIR UNION IS HERE TO REPRESENT AND HELP THEM EVIDENTLY CAN NEVER BE SAID ENOUGH!!
So, the point of this article is we human beings need
CONSTANT REMINDERS!
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE
AND
HAVE A PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Please click the links below to read past messages from President Straeter
