Yep. The "boss" (aka head bagger) hired a lot of new people the last couple of weeks. Problem is, there aren't enough customers to support that many baggers. Most of us haven't even been making minimum wage every day. Not even close. The tips have been terrible lately. One customer was overheard saying, "Why do we have to tip these people? They don't do anything," after the bagger packed up their 10 or 12 bags of groceries! There is a sign on the wall that says, "baggers work for tips," and anyone who has ever shopped at a US military base commissary knows this - it's the same everywhere.
Anyway, I was late getting there today and heard the head bagger was looking for me (he leaves at 4). I thought maybe he wanted to know why I was late - even though there are several of us who are late, usually b/c of our other jobs, though admittedly, I've been taking my time getting there, knowing there are plenty of baggers and it will be a while before I get a customer, anyway. The assistant head bagger, who is in charge of my shift, doesn't really care if we're a little late. She's a sweetheart. But that wasn't it.
Apparently, he has a problem with me taking 3 weeks off for the cruise. Funny thing is, when he hired me back in April, I told him, point blank, that I'd be away for 3 weeks in September, which he said would not be a problem and I should just be sure to mark it on the scheduling calender. I did that the first week I worked there - that would be back in April. And NOW he decides he has a problem with it? Wouldn't surprise me - he's very inconsistent about enforcing rules. If he likes you, you don't have to follow them; if not, you'd better follow them to the letter - and even then he'll find fault. And several of the baggers have been floating my name around to replace him as head bagger (I think they do this in February), even though I've told them I don't want the job. So I have the feeling that may have something to do with this.
So I have to go in and talk to him tomorrow. I'll be polite, but I won't be pushed around. If he gives me a hard time about it, I'll just say, "Well, let's call yesterday my last day, shall we?" and leave. I'm sure we'll find a way to live without the $4-5 an hour I've been making the last few weeks.
Okay. Rant over. It feels good to get that out.