I have been off and on again with my current retail job for 20+ years.(about 15-16 years total since 2002)
I love the work I do and the staff are all wonderful, but head office is getting a little too comfortable expanding the business and promoting all their growth in the face of giving no compensation for long term employees.
In the past 7 years, I have received raises totalling 29 cents. I was salary at 36k ($18.71/hr), but stepped out of the management role. This took me to $18/hr then I was told I was maxed out as an hourly employee. 6 years go by and I get 2 raises within 3 months of each other totalling $1. I was told that I shouldn't even get that.
Most of the staff at my location are long term staff (5+ years) and most haven't had a raise in several years. Most are comfortable in their position, but many are starting to feel the pinch of the yearly cost of living index.
Our store is the most profitable in the country, has the best metrics, and the lowest turnover. We know this because we are constantly paraded as an example for other stores.
I have now started union proceedings with our local 401, and there is nothing head office can do to stop me. I am fighting for yearly cost of living increases and performance increases based on the Google reviews our company is so proud of.
In my country, once a union negotiation is announced, the company has everything frozen as-is for 2 months or until an agreement is reached.
Wish me luck. 🤞