Hi!
I thought I'd do a regular post. I really should have a computer in the truck, because I can always think of tons of stuff to write about while I'm driving, but when I get in front of the computer, either the ideas sound stupid, or I can't remember them.

Here's a bit about my job. I spent 22 years being a teacher. I enjoyed that job a lot. Now I'm having trouble finding a teaching job. I'm technically a cashier at the Midland Meijer. I have a big mouth and some might say I'm a pushy person, any way, I've worked there since August of '03. Right away I let them know that simply running a cash register wasn't enough for me, so I was trained at the Lottery counter and on UScan. I am also trained to work at the service desk. All of these positions are in the service department. I also reminded my immediate boss that I am a certified teacher and I really believe I should be allowed to train new cashiers. That was last November. It hasn't happened yet, but she did tell me that a step in that direction was to become a Service Coordinator. Last February I trained for that position. I enjoy doing that too, and it is a good thing because since February, that's what I usually do. However, now the excuse for not becoming a cashier trainer is that they need me to SC. As a Service Coordinator we are responsible to run the schedule. Meijer's has 24 check-out lanes, plus four self serve lanes. On busy days I'm in charge of 20-50 cashiers. We assign the lanes, do audits, make change, collect cash drops, and prepare the store for the next day's business. We also tell the cashiers and baggers when to take breaks and the part timers when they can go home.

I know many of my readers shop at a Meijer in your own neighborhood. Most of the stores have gone through a recent remodel as they prepare to reduce labor costs. The biggest change is the elimination of the baggers, and the check lanes being replaced by a bag and scan system. This will make it easier and more efficient for the cashier to do the bagging. The Midland store will start their remodel in January of '05. It's my understanding we will have more lanes when this is completed. Many of our customers are already complaining about the upcoming change. They have shopped at the Bay City or Saginaw stores and are not really happy with the new system. The reason for the change is the huge influx of Super WalMart stores coming into our areas. It will reduce the cost of labor to have only one person filling each order rather than two. I think if the cashiers are properly trained in the new system, they will be able to do their job quickly and hopefully not squash the bread or bruise the fruit.

Well, this has been a bit of a ramble. I may continue more on this topic or others later.