UFCW News: Reports

United for Justice in the the Workplace: Stories from Local 1439 Fred Meyer workers

Sherril from Tacoma emailed this message:

My name is Nita. I worked for Fred Meyer for over 19 years. I am 70 years old. On June 29, 2009 I was called into my store director's office and told that I had handed a customer back their check in the amount of $12.30 and was being terminated for this. I told my store director "you know I'm raising my granddaughter." He told me it was out of his hands, it's a corporate policy. I asked him about my medical coverage and he responded that I only had medical coverage for 2 more days.

During my 19 years with Fred Meyer I was a very dependable employee, received great reviews and had no other disciplinary issues. I had built relationships with customers and coworkers and considered Fred Meyer my family. I worked hard for my job and loved it. Fred Meyer never gave me a penny. I worked hard for every penny I earned. I'm not sure how I'm going to find another job with these wages and benefits.

Sherril from Tacoma emailed this message:

My name is Sherril. I worked for Fred Meyer for 19 years. I was a great employee and was always being asked to go and help at other stores. I always helped open the new Fred Meyer stores. I was also a trainer for Fred Meyer. In August I was called into my store director’s office and was told that I had sold a money order for a lesser amount than what the money order was printed for. I was told that my employment was being terminated. The loss has now been paid back but I am still without my job. I have been looking for work but cannot find anything close to my wages and benefits.

Karen from Tacoma emailed this message:

Hi. My name is Karen. I worked for Fred Meyer for 13 years. In July I was told by my store director that I had sold a money order for $100 less than what the money order was printed as. I was terminated for one honest mistake even thought the customer returned the difference and there was no loss to the company. I was a front end supervisor. I poured my heart and soul into my wonderful customers and fellow employees. I have tried to find a new job but have not found anything that can support my family

Rochelle from Tacoma emailed this message:

My name is Rochelle and I was employed by Fred Meyer for 21 years until July 6, 2009 when I made an honest mistake. Although I have yet to see the video; the claim is that I accidentally gave a customer their check back. I have a spotless employment record. I have never been written up or suspended for in their words a fireable offense. I show up to work on time, I don't call in sick and I have been a PIC for more than half of my career with Fred Meyer. I made ONE mistake and all of the years of loyal service are erased. What is this world coming to? An employee that is loyal to their employer, does over and above what is expected or asked of them, and is highly respected not only by their upper management team, by their peers and their employees is fired due to one mistake totalling $31.50

Janetta from Portland emailed this message:

I too was fired from Fred Meyer for a simple mistake. I was employed for approximately 5 years with the company going through management training and having a very good track record with the company. Working the customer service desk, short handed as usual, about one week before Thanksgiving and recently a single mother of three. I sold a money order to a customer while five other cusomers wait in line. The man asked for a $20 money order and I accidentally printed one for $200. The customer looked at the money order and looked at me and walked off. There I was fired with no income to take care of my children after many years of service. I was so concerned at the time with "good" customer service that I didn't even see the customer's reaction at the time I just continued on and started helping the next customer, yet I was treated like a criminal.

Cheryl from Bonney Lake emailed this message:

My name is Cheryl. I worked for Fred Meyer for 12 years. My last 9 years at Fred Meyer I worked solely at the customer service desk due to a previous back injury. My manager began scheduling me in the checkstand even after I explained how difficult that would be for me because of my previous back injury.

On December 3rd, 2008 my store director informed me that I had given a customer back their check for approximately $75.00 and, in being consistent with company policy, the decision from corporate was to terminate my employment. The day of the incident was only my 3rd day back in the checkstand after 9 years at the customer service desk.

During my 9 years with Fred Meyer I was a dedicated employee who received great reviews and customer comments. I didn't have any previous disciplinary issues. I have been looking for employment elsewhere but I don't know where I will find another job with the medical benefits I had.