Emailed this morning...

Yesterday, Saturday, and this morning Sunday, has made me realize that I may have to re arrange my meetings with others in order to show you some of the problems in the Baton Rouge area. Much of the upcoming week is broken between interviews and confirming travel plans.

Understand that associates are contacting me with information on any number of issues at many of the stores here in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. There is actually so much that I find I have had to put some other things aside in order to calm some of them down and tell many it will get better.

This is being written after a meeting with an associate coming off the night shift at one of the stores.

Yes, I open my door to local associates. Yes, I try to show them a plan that will help.

I do not know why I am doing it aside from the fact that you did contact me and I see a glimmer of hope. I also just cannot see myself putting anyone in the position I am in. No work at all, thank goodness I have a family that supports me.

I am being asked for communication information and advice on who may be able to help in some situations. Even salaried management does not want to take a chance of direct contact with anyone higher up. I am on the verge of contacting the district managers in the area. I no longer trust the Regional myself, I am fearful I could cause some wonderful people to lose their positions too soon, before they are ready to leave.

The "Fear Factor" still lives and not many are willing to ask for help, they would rather take a chance and look for jobs elsewhere.

I am concerned because I have been informed of CO managers and assistant managers who are looking at retirement and at quitting soon.

Associates and management are getting stretched to the limit and the stress levels are where most would rather be temporarily unemployed instead of finding work before leaving the company.

Some have already attempted to quit and were talked into staying at least for a while.
Dedicated assistant managers are looking at everything short term.

Pallets of freight from the GM side are being mixed and are being pushed to the floor with no organization whatsoever. They are not separating freight, just taking all of it off the truck as is and to the floor.

It has become chaotic and most of the middle management at the stores really is thinking of walking out.

I have heard of even management with over twenty years going into retirement earlier than they had intended. They would rather be paid less and be treated better.

Lawrence, this is not a joke and although I am happy that people trust me with situations that concern their livelihood I feel compelled to see if I can help them through this unrest.

Please do not forget me. The news is not good. This is serious and I don't even know that the convention will be able to help in a timely way. Although at this point anything is better than nothing.