The more I think about it the only way anything is going to change at Macy’s for the worker is by forming a union. The workload is crazy, less jobs higher expectations and now store managers are the end all be all. I guarantee there are stores like mine where the environment is at an Xmas level of stress in March and all because the company decides to cut staffing way down. As a senior manager I’m not being told I have to work longer days, review work material at home to be prepared etc. it’s getting to be way too much and quite frankly it isn’t worth it. I can tell you the Store manager isn’t looking out for the workers, it’s always what have you done for me today attitude. It always made me laugh the way the company reacts when a union would start sniffing around, outside managers and above at your stores etc. would make things interesting.
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Sadly, I have made Macy's a career and I am trying to hang on until I can retire in a few years. I have watched the steady decline and Macy's is a mess. Let's see what this new 3 year plan of POLARIS brings. I work in a union store, HSQ, and I can tell you it does not make much of a difference. The company expects more with less people and if you don't like it, you can leave. The amount of turnover is incredible from management down. The company is creating a bad work environment.
This spring, the company will negotiate the contract with the local union of 4 NY stores. I hope the associates send a message and strike.
Nothing more to add other than confirming that HQ, where I work, thinks everyone is expendable, most especially the store associates and managers.
To the person who thinks Union Square is in a good position to negotiate - I would not be surprised if Macy’s decides to close that store and sell off the assets. That may be in their plans from the start.
Unions-good grief!
If you are at Union Square and the contract comes up again, you will have a much better bargaining position. The company has eliminated all of the district executive jobs and the people who were in the them. These are the same people who the company shipped into the store last year and trained to take over Union jobs in case of a strike. The district jobs eliminated also included the staffing team that spent endless hours scheduling all of these visiting executives, as well as all of the district HR people who went to the store to talk Union members out of voting to strike. The original poster has several valid points about unreasonable workload and lack of hours.
If you unionize, Macy’s will close your store. The company is in bad financial shape and that will be the only choice they’ll have.
You don’t want to hear this, but you’re working in customer service. That means you’re replaceable. Macy’s isn’t interested in retaining its longtime workforce, they want a warm body that will do the job at a cheaper price. If you won’t, they’ll find someone else or install more automated checkouts etc.
My advice is that you take your management experience and more to a better company. Retail is practically dead and you’re not going to change Macy’s, but you can change your situation.
A union will not help matters. You will pay someone to keep your job and that is about it.
A union will bust the company with lavish wants rather than needs.
What needs to happen is the executives running the company need to learn that cutting help is not the answer.
Part of the answer is getting customers in the store and buying product. To do that the store needs to be clean, fresh, have desired product at a reasonable price, and overall safety of the customer in mind.
A recent trip to Macy’s nearby resulted in seeing shoplifters walking out en mass with armloads of clothes, graffiti on the parking garage walls, d–g users hanging around the doors and even the restrooms closes and locked with a padlock! (Fire code violation)
Sure you are overworked (been there - literally for many years) but it will not change.
The start move it to take your talents to another employer where they will be appreciated, not abused and overused. Good luck.