Rob Schmidt, Local 1546,
Bolingbrook, IL
Rob Schmidt found that a new nonunion grocery store can't match his union job.
I was curious about the opportunities available at a new nonunion store being built across the street from my union store. Could I make more money and receive the same benefits as those provided by my union-represented store? I had to find out. So I filled out an application to become the new Assistant Produce Manager. I was called back fairly quickly. I had eleven years' experience from my job at the union store.
After three tough interviews, it seemed clear to me that they [the managers at the non-union store] wanted to make sure that they hired employees who had a dislike for the union. This was so the new staff wouldn't be easily organized. In the final interview, I was shown a video about how unions take away workers' rights. I know better. Working with union representation doesn't take away workers' rights - it gives them more rights than the nonunion worker.
If I had gone to work for the nonunion store, I would have seen a drastic drop in my pay. They wanted to pay me less with fewer benefits and no overtime pay after 40 hours per week. I pay union dues and I don't mind because I receive a lot for the small amount I pay each month. The most important of these benefits is representation both at the bargaining table and every day at work. That's something the new nonunion store employees can't brag about.
After applying at the nonunion store and seeing what a nonunion store has to offer, I wouldn't ever think about working without union representation. Working for a union store has helped me to make my job a career.
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