(Updated) NLRB findings of intimidation could overturn Target store’s vote against union

The Minnesota Independent has been keeping up with the NLRB's actions regarding the Valley Stream Target union vote and reports that newly placed charges might be enough to have an administrative law judge overturn the 137-85 vote of this past June.

The firing of union organizer Tashawna Green (UFCW Local 1500) and other pro union supporters in the aftermath of the vote has dinged Target's win and may, together with other intimidation, cause a revote. However, historically, such revotes have not resulted in turnarounds for unions, so a second bite at the apple may be for nothing.

For the article see: http://tinyurl.com/4y744xb

and also take a look at the video: http://tinyurl.com/3c35quf
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Target Cleans Out It's Pro Union Workforce

 at the Valley Stream Store

Regular blog readers might recall my 6/18/11 post on this site about the below Valley Stream, NY Tarbutt store having voted 137 to 85 against unionization. 
See:   http://targetfiling.blogspot.com/search?q=valley+stream  (located at:  500 W Sunrise Hwy, Valley Stream, NY 11581 (516) 568-9264)

The same store is now back in the news for having decimated the ranks of those who were in favor of bringing in a union, the headline reads:

"Target Cleans Out Workforce at Valley Stream Store, turnover nearly hits 25% in 6-months"

Obviously Tarbutt is spooked at the chance that any revote might give unions a toe hold in their 1700 stores. The 1/27/12 article says in part:

"Preparing for the February 1st federal hearing on Target Corp.'s violations of the National Labor Relations Act, United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Local . . . expressed outrage that over 20% of the workforce at Valley Stream Target has been "turned over" or replaced, cleansing the store of longtime employees seeking better working conditions from the billion-dollar company."

Like the song says:  'you need to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em'.  Target was ahead of the game in the June vote, but now they face serious NLRB violations for canning pro-union employees.

The full article can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/7hkqmpn

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Huffington Post said of the prior vote:

NLRB Accuses Target Of Intimidating Workers Before Valley Stream Union Vote

"More evidence has come to light indicating that Target might have threatened to close one its New York stores if workers decided to unionize, according to the National Labor Relations Board.

The change may convince a judge to invalidate the results of a June election in which workers at a Valley Stream, New York Target voted not to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, according to Crain's New York Business.

The NLRB's claim comes after an earlier complaint alleging that Target implemented surveillance of its employees and threatened to close the store amongst other charges. The case is likely to head to an administrative law judge early next year and the NLRB will decide whether to overturn the June vote based in part on the judge's decision."

Full article at: http://tinyurl.com/7y8p34s  and remember folks that: TARGET SUCKS!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you are looking for a decidedly pro union perspective on the Valley Stream issue you might take a look at the full article, part of which is quoted here FYI:

Target Comes Under Fire Around the World

By: Michelle Chen Monday August 15, 2011

VALLEY STREAM, NY - The retail giant Target is under fire from all sides, for union-busting at home and labor violations overseas. The reports that have come out in the past several weeks highlight a continuum of cruelty in the global supply chain.

Though WalMart has long served as labor’s arch nemesis, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) has lately zeroed in on Target as a new battlefield—with its hundreds of thousands of employees and recent expansion into the supermarket sector. Although UFCW Local 1500 recently lost a vote to unionize a branch in Valley Stream, New York, their campaign deftly exposed Target’s arsenal of intimidation and smear tactics, which ranged from anti-union websites to leaflets warning that a yes vote might ruin the company and force the store to close.

Now plastered across the blogosphere, the propaganda campaign has steeled the outrage at the company’s resistance to unions. Organizers have announced they will keep up the fight:

"Target’s honeymoon is over, the national attention from the election at Valley Stream showed the American public the type of company they really are, one who has little respect for the hard working people who make their company so successful. Target still has the opportunity to change, and they should start by respecting their employees."

Full article is at:

http://my.firedoglake.com/meeshellchen/2011/08/15/target-comes-under-fire-around-the-world/

Faegre Baker Daniels

 

Kerry L. Bundy, Partner
kerry.bundy@FaegreBD.com
Faegre Baker Daniels
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 S. Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ms. Bundy was the lead attorney in Target's 23 month long attempt to force me to remove content from this blog site.  The case was dismissed by Judge Cooper in Atlanta Federal Court.  The cost to Target was probably $250,000, my cost was $0.  Five years after this, and other blogs, went up they are still alive and functioning and not one word has ever been deleted or changed due to outside pressure.

This civil action started on Sept. 5 of 2006

and dragged on until July 16, 2008.

Target Corp. is tired of being used as a Showroom for Internet shoppers

Tarbutt is annoyed that their 'guests' are being 'pests' and are coming in to their stores to take a look at products they sell but these items are also being offered for sale online, almost always at a lower price.

Target is now 'asking' (really telling) their suppliers that they want help to stop this 'showrooming', and they want that help to be in the form of their suppliers creating special products that they and other stores would carry which would not be available other that at their stores.

This would make consumers going into T. to price check items useless as T would have products (particularly electronics) that were unique to T and other participating brick and mortar stores.

As pointed out in a long WSJ article (see: http://tinyurl.com/75zqul9 by Ann Zimmerman) "Some analysts said Target's new tactics are unlikely to reverse the showrooming trend, because they fail to address the root problems traditional retailers face. Online-only retailers have significantly lower labor costs and, at least, for the time being don't collect sales tax in most states."

Target may be the 2nd largest retailer but they are starting to feel the heat from consumers that are willing to take their business to the cheaper online web sites. This is just another example of Target being consumer unfriendly and another reason that "TARGET SUCKS!"

Changes in Target Health Care starting next week!

Next week there will be some changes announced for Target Health Care and team members will be briefed on them.

In summary the changes are as follows:
1. If you are currently enrolled in the HMO or PPO, you can re-enroll in it for 2012. You will not automatically be enrolled in any plan this year.
2. If you are not currently in the HMO or PPO, you do not have the option to enroll for it.
3. Both the HMO and PPO are being discontinued and will not be available in 2013. The only options are the savings-account based HSA and HRA.
At the same time, target will be instituting a $5 per week surcharge for smokers. (this will be in the form of a $260/year surcharge for any medical plan, including HSA/HRA).


Example FYI:


3. A TOBACCO SURCHARGE WILL BE INTRODUCED.
Because tobacco use increases health care costs, you will pay an annual surcharge of $260, which equates to $5 per week, if you or any of your enrolled dependents use tobacco products.


During 2012 Open Enrollment, you will be asked to state whether you or any of your covered dependents have used tobacco products in the past six months. If you do not complete this step, you will be charged the $260 tobacco surcharge.
There are two ways to end the tobacco surcharge:
1) After six months of being tobacco free, call the Target Benefits Center to have the surcharge removed,
OR
2) Complete the free ‘Quit Plan’ tobacco cessation program and call the Target Benefits Cengter to have the surcharge removed.
 
See the full five page document at:  http://targetpayandbenefits.blogspot.com/

Target gets the ‘BOOBIE PRIZE’!

OK, I couldn’t resist that one, a cheap shot is a terrible thing to waste.

Friendswood mom allegedly harassed at Target for breastfeeding organizes 'nurse-in'

Target is bracing for a nationwide nurse-in after a Houston-area woman reported that she had been asked to stop breast-feeding her child at a local store.  by Tiffany Craig / KHOU 11 News, www. khou.com

• Houston-area mother's complaints prompt nationwide 'nurse-ins' at Target stores.

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas—Mothers from around the country plan to support a Friendswood mom who says she was harassed at a Target store for breastfeeding.  More than 100 different “nurse-ins” are planned in 35 states after hearing about the case of Michelle Hickman.

Hickman and her then 4-month-old son Noah were visiting the Target in Webster last month when he started getting hungry.  “I was taking care of my baby’s needs,” said Hickman. “I was bothered by people wanting to make a spectacle of it.”

Not the customers, she said, but the employees. “They all came in and started walking and looking like I did something horrible,” said Hickman.

The first employee reportedly suggested that she use the fitting room. Another supposedly told her that she could be cited for indecent exposure. I had this big blanket over me,” Hickman said as she showed KHOU 11 News.

After feeding her child, Hickman left the store and later called the corporate office. She said she was told by guest relations, “just because it’s a woman’s legal right to nurse a baby in public doesn’t mean she should walk around the store flaunting it.”

KHOU 11 News contacted Target and they sent a written statement claiming that “guests who choose to breastfeed in public areas of the store are welcome to do so without being made to feel uncomfortable.”

The statement went on to say that “Target has been in touch with the store to ensure all team members are aware of our breastfeeding policy.” Hickman was so angry about what happened, she shared her story online and with a mother’s groups.

That’s where the idea of staging a “nurse-in” was born. The nationwide “nurse-in” is scheduled for Wednesday, December 28 at 10 a.m.
See also:
http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2011/12/houston-area-woman-organizes-breastfeeding-flash-mob-at-target-stores/#2278-3

Breastfeeding at Target: Moms Stage National Demonstration

Full article at:  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2011/12/breastfeeding-at-target-moms-stage-national-demonstration/
Mothers from across the country have posted pictures of themselves nursing at Target stores — from Maryland to Minnesota — to a Facebook page used to organize the event. (A Target spokeswoman has confirmed that nursing mothers showed up at Target stores today but said the chain was still gathering information on the scale of the demonstrations.)

“I never knew that sitting in a Target and doing what’s normal — which is feeding my baby — would result in all of this one day but I’m glad it did, ” Michelle Hickman, the woman who inspired the event, told http://www.abcnews.com/.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editorial Comment:  If any retail chain is taking lumps for stupidity there is an 85% chance that it is going to be Target.  This is my 6th year in reporting just how badly Target Sucks and there is simply no end to stories about this disfunctional chain. 

Now it is breastfeeding, 2 weeks ago it was refusing to let 25 kids shop for a charity in their Mayfield Heights Ohio Store.  It is always something with this bunch of incompetents.  Eventually I will get old (older) and die, but Target will always Suck.

Target Court cases and Confidential Information:

Marjorie Ann Diaz v. Target Corporation
Direct click on link:  http://diaz-target.blogspot.com/
Plaintiff Diaz filed a class action complaint on behalf of herself and all others similarly situated. Ms Diaz was an hourly non-exempt employee of Target in Irvine, California, from approximately October 2000 until May 2009. The Plaintiff sues on the following causes:
(1) failure to provide meal periods under California Labor Code § 226.7;
(2) failure to provide rest periods,
(3) failure to timely pay wages due at termination,
(4) failure to comply with itemized wage statement provisions,
(5) failure to pay overtime compensation,
(6) failure to reimburse expenses,
(7) penalties pursuant to the California Private Attorney General Act,
(8) violations of the Unfair Competition Law under California Business & Professions Code,
(9) violations of the Unfair Practices Act under California Business & Professions Code

Target 17 page Corrective Action Guidelines and Target AP Directives  44 pages
http://targetguidelines.blogspot.com/
The Corrective Guidelines document deals with Gross Misconduct, Serious Offenses, Minor Offenses, coaching and the steps necessary to discipline or fire an employee and it defines all the relevant terms. The AP Directives is the 2006 'Security Manual', revisions have been made since it was published.

Beckford v. Target Corp.
http://beckfordvtarget.blogspot.com/
Long time employees at Tucson Target store sue for being fired for trumped up reasons and replaced by much lower paid new hires.

An Arizona case that started out in a local court and was transferred to Federal Court. A former manager said: "It was understood that I could hire someone 10 years younger than these people, at half the pay, and they had college degrees. I'd sit during the management meetings, and we'd identify who is a 'blocker'—which meant they needed to leave the company . . . "We were told to figure out how to get rid of these blockers that cost too much money,"

‘Target AP Directives’ 42 pages
http://targetapdirectives2006.blogspot.com/
Another copy of said Directives with 2 versions, first is useful to 'cut and paste' sections for quoting, 2nd is original as supplied by ex-Target employee

Target Corp v. John Doe, case summary
http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/target-corp-v-doe   A summary of the 23 month Atlanta Federal Court case where Target tried to force the removal of the Target AP Directives and collect damages.  The case was subsequently thrown out of court.

Target filed a lawsuit against an initially unknown Internet user with the handle “Target Sucks” for copyright infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets for allegedly posting information on various retail-employee forums and blogs. Target subsequently identified the user based on the information it received after subpoening Internet providers. Defendant allegedly posted Target’s "Asset Protection Directives," an in-house theft prevention manual, on several websites critical of Target. Target asserted in its two-count complaint that the user “acquired a copy of Target’s AP Directives from a recently terminated Target employee, Scott Hundt.”

For 5 years I've been telling you that TARGET SUCKS, read this and tell me they don't suck!

(see the Update at bottom of this post)

The Consumerist.com  (http://consumerist.com/)  had this with a link to the facebook letter, the below is about 50% of the letter, it was to long for the whole thing on this blog.  I did look up the address of this store:
Target Store Mayfield Heights 
11285 Som Center Rd
Mayfield Heights, OH 44124
(440) 995-9300 
and I phoned and asked to speak to Shelly, she was not working today and the LOD was to busy to come to the phone.  Perhaps someone already told them they were famous? 

So use the links to see the original - and remember people 'TARGET SUCKS!'

see:  http://consumerist.com/2011/12/target-doesnt-want-your-group-of-school-kids-to-spend-thousands-of-dollars-at-its-store.html or the Cleveland Plain Dealer article at:    http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2011/12/mayfield_heights_teacher_says.html
or the Facebook entry, if it is still up, at:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/sandy-bean/an-open-letter-to-targets-mayfield-heights-store/10150449747549146

An Open Letter to Target’s Mayfield Heights Store
by Sandy Bean on Monday, December 12, 2011 at 7:36pm

Dear Sir or Madam:

For the past five years, three colleagues and I have taken a group of approximately 25 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students—part of our award-winning student council group—on a philanthropic experience that, for these students, often changes their point of view on life. You see, many of them come from homes where they do not want for much of anything

This experience of which I speak benefits one such worthy organization, a place known as Providence House. Providence House (PH) is a Cleveland-area crisis nursery. They help children ages newborn to six at risk for imminent abuse or neglect. Often, these children come from homes with terminally ill parents, parents with drug problems, or homes where money is scarce the homelessness hangs over their heads. Some have never had a birthday party.

What is this “trip”? Well, each December, right before Christmas, the council learns about Providence House. Then, they work to collect money for PH through a variety of school activities. They generally raise somewhere in the neighborhood of about $2000. We then take this select group to our local Mayfield Heights Target store, where they shop in small groups for items PH needs.

Ok, so back to the customer service and community relations issue.

As a courtesy, I phoned Target to let them know we would be coming, as we have done the week of our visit in years past.

The conversation was quick. I spoke with a woman named Shelly. She was rude and did not mince words. I identified myself as Sandy Bean, with Mayfield Middle School, and explained that we would be bringing a small group in on Friday for our annual Providence House shopping trip. I explained that we would once again need a lane opened for our purchases, and I wanted to know what else they would need from us. Of our purchase order charge account was in order, etc. The conversation went something like this.

“Well, you can’t come in. The schedule is made and I just don’t have the cashiers. I need at least two weeks’ notice. Sorry,” Shelly said, curtly.

“We usually spend over $2000… Would you prefer we head over to Wal-Mart?”

“Hold on.” When Shelly returned to the phone, I was told, “Nope. Sorry. We can’t accommodate you.”

I told her, “It has never been a problem in the past, and we have never given two weeks’ notice before.”

“Well, actually, it has been a problem, ma’am, because we can’t check other guests out when you’re here.” She replied, with a definite tone rising in her voice.

“So, we can’t spend our money there on Friday?”

“No.”

“Okaaayy…I suppose we will go somewhere else then. Thank you,” and I hung up.

I was completely caught off guard. I had called for a heads up, and they wouldn’t take the money that we had worked so hard to raise? That we had already deposited into our account so we could pay with our Target account set up just for this purchase? Was this the same Target that gave the kids popcorn and soda the past few years?

Let me get this straight: My organization has spent over $12,000 with you the past five years, during FIVE shopping trips.  We have never called more than a week in advance. The second year, we *forgot* to call in advance. We were greeted with a smile, and we accommodated accordingly.

We arrive at about 8:45 am. The store is normally empty. We are gone before 11. It takes one lane, one cashier, and about 30 minutes for us to check out. We pay with one charge account. The students stand at the end of the lane and sort into carts, then take it out to the bus to load. How does this stop other patrons from paying? Come on. I’ve worked in retail.

• For five years running, we have never gotten a call or a letter from the Target store to discuss any problems with the students, the check out process, or anything else related to the trip (we have written thank you notes every year, mind you, and our names and address are clearly written on the letter). If there were ever any issues, we did not know about them and could not rectify anything.

• This year, I call Shelly, and rudely and in no uncertain terms, she tells me that our money is *not* good there? And that we are a problem and should go somewhere else? My 24 student leaders are more of a problem than the general populace, pouring in and out of there each day?

You have got to be kidding me. I am appalled. I have no desire to take my money, the council’s money, or anyone’s money to this store ever again. We plan to go to another store, and continue to go to another store for as long as this project exists. I may be one person, but I am a person who gets to make a lot of fundraising decisions, and who gets to bend the ear of many parents and city leaders, who respect and value my opinion. You can bet I’ll be telling everyone who will listen that Mayfield Middle School Student Council’s charity money is no good at Mayfield Heights Target without two weeks’ notice, and that our students had to take their work for Providence House elsewhere.

Sincerely,

Sandy Bean
Mayfield Middle School

If anyone has any tips of another clean superstore we can visit between Mayfield Heights and downtown Cleveland on Friday, 12/16, please message me. I will not take the students to a Target store, and I will tell them exactly why.

===================================================

Target did some PR repair and Wal Mart jumped in with a nice offer, here is the link to the Consumerist.com's update on the matter:  http://tinyurl.com/6r9mmn3

The Grinch who changed his mind about Christmas

Target Apologizes To Rebuffed Students; Walmart Ups The Ante With More Cash,
By Chris Morran on December 14, 2011
(details at above direct link)

Through 5 yrs of reporting on Tarbutt screw ups I've never had even half the look ins as this story generated.  I see it has gone instantly viral all around the world.  Talk about 'bad publicity' you really couldn't do more harm to a brand that this one moron in Ohio did.  Nice going Shelly, hope you enjoy being unemployeed over Xmas!

Calls for a Xmas Boycott of Target echo in South Florida

Well folks, Tarbutt is at it yet again!  Even Jay Leno is making fun of this bunch of losers!  Leno had them featured in his 11/30/11 monolog for again banning the Salvation Army bell ringers.

I immediately went to the internet and researched this.  There were scores of aritlces about this, almost all from past years, but a few, such as that From Fox 4 TV in Cape Coral Florida, dated 11/25/11 which made clear that this isn't a rehash of prior SA bans by Target but it is right now, for this year and here is a bit of the text of their broadcast with link so you can read it or watch a video of it:  http://www.fox4now.com/news/local/134510833.html

Salvation Army bell ringers banned at Target

Salvation Army bell ringers a "distraction?"
By Matt Grant  CREATED Nov. 25, 2011

CAPE CORAL - The Salvation Army's red kettles are banned at Target and that has some residents seeing red. "This is an insidious and ridiculous attack on people who need help," said Cape Coral resident Dick Kalfus. "It's absolutely frightful."

The Salvation Army collects money for needy families and buys toys for kids at Christmas. But Target's corporate office sees that as soliciting, which the company doesn't allow.  "They've insulted all people in southwest Florida that rely on the Salvation Army for help," said Kalfus. "I think it's a stupid decision."

But Target's corporate office sees that as soliciting, which the company doesn't allow.Spokesperson Jessica Carlson said: "We do not permit solicitation or petitioning at our stores regardless of the cause or issue being represented."  Carlson says the company's no-solicitation policy "does not diminish" their support for the Salvation Army.

A Salvation Army spokesperson says they are grateful for stores that do allow bell ringers this time of year.

Still, the ban isn't sitting well with Kalfus, who is calling for a boycott of the retail giant.  "They've insulted all people in southwest Florida that rely on the Salvation Army for help," said Kalfus. "I think it's a stupid decision.  Target doesn't owe me an apology," said Kalfus. "But they certainly owe an apology to the people who have been depending on the Salvation Army, a magnificent organization, to help them."  "Hopefully they will see the light," he said.
Matt Grant, Reporter,  mgrant@fox4now.com

Target Manager Fired For Working Through Lunch

Jason Kellner worked at the Target store in Oxford, Alabama as a Senior Team Leader and sometimes Leader on Duty for 8 years until firing 9/13/2011. His ending rate of pay was $20.37 per hour.

Plaintiff and other STLs had complained at meetings about not getting uninterrupted 30 minute meal breaks. Shortly after that Defendant Target terminated him for working during his 30 minute breaks which is contrary to Target policy, ie: "performing work activities" without being clocked in”.

Plaintiff disputes that and files in Federal Court claiming he was fired in retaliation for his initial complaints

News report at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/17/target-manager-fired-lunch-break_n_1016100.html  only page #1 of the 8 page complaint is here and you can see the entire 8 pages at:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/69167717/Kellner-Target-Lawsuit

FYI: Tarbutt Key Employee Information

Tell Target How Bad They Suck!

Just in case you wanted to tell Tarbut what a great company they are and how underpaid the top brass is here are some names and addresses you can use to send them your best wishes:

Where do our readers come from?

Target's anti-gay-rights lawsuit rejected by judge

By Nick Pinto
From: http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/04/targets_anti-ga.php

It's not that Target's executive leadership has a problem with the gays -- they just wish they wouldn't stand so close to them.   The retail giants lawsuit to get gay-rights activists to stop standing on the sidewalk near the front doors of several of its California locations got denied.

California Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Barton rejected Target's request for an injunction against the activists, ruling that the store entrances are a public forum under California law. The corporation said it tried to gag the canvassers in order "to provide a distraction-free shopping environment."

It's not that Target has a problem with gay activists expressing themselves and participating in grass-roots democracy. It has a problem with everyone doing that.

With PR finesse like this -- to say nothing of your falling out with Lady Gaga and the whole bigot-funding crisis that got you in this mess in the first place, you're sure to have the people back on your side in no time.

Target fires pro-union employee

Seven weeks after failing to persuade her colleagues to join a union, a Target worker was terminated from her $8-an-hour job. The union will seek to reverse her dismissal.

Tashawna Green, 21, of Jamaica, Queens, got fired Aug. 6th from her high paying $8 hour job at Tarbutt 7 weeks after the store employees voted not to join United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1500.

An unfair labor practice charge was filed with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging Ms. Green was fired “because of her activities in support of the union.”  NLRB Regional Director Alvin Blyer, said his office received the charge and is investigating. He said the labor board planned to rule soon on dozens of other unfair labor practice allegations brought both by the union and by Target.  In a statement, Target said Ms. Green was fired because she “recently acted in an overly hostile, disruptive manner that is inconsistent with Target's policies.”

Local 1500 issued a formal challenge to the election, alleging workers were bribed and intimidated into voting against the union, and is seeking a rerun election.  All Target stores are nonunion.  There are 10 in New York City.

Read more:  http://tinyurl.com/3w4j586

Here is an update on an older post FYI:

RIP: A Consumer Site that sold out:

Here is a little oddity regarding what once was a consumer site where you could go and post reviews of any firm. It was first registered in 2004 and initially was jobvent.com and for the Target reviews: http://www.jobvent.com/target-job-reviews-C455  

Target was one of the many firms with reviews. It had a flat 300 the last time I saw it and there were ‘Love It: 72, Hate It: 228’ reviews. Around 11/20/10 the site was frozen. No new reviews for any firm were being taken and they still aren’t. “We're sorry...Jobitorial is not accepting new employee reviews at this time.”

Just by chance I looked in today 9/17/11 and the internet address redirected me to http://www.jobitorial.com/target-job-reviews-C455  Now here is the odd thing, there are no more 300 reviews! Any review below giving Target a 3.1 on a 5 scale have been deleted! The new owners of the site have gone back and removed those reviews with any worthwhile criticism of Target. There are 62 reviews dated from 5/17/06 to 9/11/10.

The negative 228 Target reviews are gone and the site remains closed to new reviews but a shining beacon telling people: “Tomorrow is my last day working at Target, and I had a fantastic time working there.” And “I always enjoyed my job at Target and most of my coworkers.”

So chalk one up for Spot’s PR Department which is probably:

Target Brands, Inc.

Domainnames Admin

1000 Nicollet Mall, TPS 3165

Minneapolis, MN 55403

Phone: +1.6126960063

Email: domainnames.admin@target.com

The above department is the one T. uses to buy up/take out of circulation any of the sites that have names which are critical of T. You can look them up at: http://www.whois.net, run some name like 'targetsucks.com' and you will see that T. has purchased this name to keep it out of use, this and many more, and when they come up for renewal this department simply renews them.

 An update on a consumer site that sold out.
I stopped by the Job Vent site, haven't been there since July. Wow! Talk about someone 'selling out'! This site is now TOTALLY in the bag for Target. The hundreds of critical posts are gone, replaced by over 60 posts that all seem to LOVE Target. Must be that Target either bought the site or they slipped someone a good few bucks to redo the Tarbutt posts (http://tinyurl.com/2amahdj).  

Now the site sounds like they had half a dozen drones at HQ make up some BS posts and back dated them to make it seem like actual T. workers were posting comments. P. T. Barnum said: "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool someone who worked for Target - They all think the place sucked!"

Target has a whole department that deals with the Internet and both buys up names of sites (ie: Target Sucks, F Target etc) and keeps up the payments on them to keep them out of the hands of irate bloggers (like me) who would grab onto something like http://www.targetsucks.com/* in an instant. At least two anti-Target union sites went bye bye a couple of years ago, couldn't afford the site rental payments I think, so now we are not only missing this Job Vent site but it has turned into a real Kiss Ass For Target site. Here is my July plug for the 'old' Job Vent site - R.I.P. Job Vent

============================================

* WHOIS says: Domain Name: http://www.targetsucks.com/
Registrant is: Target Brands, Inc., Domain Manager, 1000 Nicollet Mall, TPS 3165, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Email: admin@internationaladmin.com
Created on..............: Tue, Jul 28, 1998
Expires on..............: Wed, Jul 27, 2011
Record last updated on..: Fri, Jul 23, 2010

You could opine that Target knew it sucked as long ago as 7/28/98 when it registered this name to keep it off the market. If they screw up and forget to renew it on 7/27/11 someone else might pick it up for use. (Gee, wonder who that might be?)
===================================================
(what I originally posted about this site)
Take a look at: JOB VENT

This site should be required reading for Tarbutt employees. Yeah, that means you pencil pushers at HQ who look in here every few days, learn what your fellow employees in the DC's and stores really think of your crappy company.

Bookmark the site and go back every two weeks and see what new posts have been added.
(Based on 300 Reviews):
http://www.jobvent.com/target-job-reviews-C455
Love It: 72 Hate It: 228

=====================================
FYI: Here is another 4 sites that have Tarbutt reviews http://www.ihatetarget.net/category/targetsucks,
http://trueinsider.com/frame/Reviews?company_id=1130215-target, http://www.thebreakroom.us/, http://www.topix.com/forum/com/tgt/T23GCEBTAKK98OJOL/p17#lastPost

Here are some Tarbutt videos for those who have nothing better to do:

Target Shoplifter tackled:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4onj8y-vKE
Falls/Arrests 7 min:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Fa9gsxnwQ&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Shoplifting 42 seconds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDhTLFE_HQ&feature=related
Target Crime Lab, Mn. (ABC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s_4rkpSICQ
7 min of shoplifting and guy gets away with it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz3tBX-O1_g&NR=1&feature=fvwp
Shopping Cart Screw Up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_4TqtHATWI&feature=related
Loading Up at Tarbutt Shoplifting Arrest:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqCCRy5hC68&NR=1
Dancing LODs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hScoMsJf20k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

For Target definitions about People, Areas of the Store, Equipment, Store Volume classifications, and definitions of the various AP Positions click on the direct link (FYI: ignore the 2006 date, the info got put at the back of the blog because it takes up to much room and might not be of interest to the general reader.)
http://targetfiling.blogspot.com/2006/07/people-ap-assets-protection-security.html

Unhappy returns: Woman targets Target with baseball bat

Donna Rosenberger, 39, of Cranberry, just had enough of Tarbutts crap over returns and with a baseball bat broke 6 windows out of the front doors of the Tarbutt store, 9805 McKnight Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237.

She tried to return 2 ice cream makers that she had purchased with a check. A clerk, offered her a gift card for the value of the items instead of cash. Police released Rosenberger on her own recognizance for a later court appearance.  Good for you Donna!

We need more consumer activists willing to let this 3rd rate crappy retail chain know what their customers think of them.  Here is the brief story FYI:

From:  http://post-gazette.com/pg/11175/1155971-100.stm
Friday, June 24, 2011

By Ryan Brown, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 A disgruntled customer attacked a McCandless Target store's windows with a baseball bat around 11 this morning, police said.

According to McCandless Police Chief Gary Anderson, a female customer, incensed over Target's return policy, armed herself with a baseball bat and smashed in the store's windows before security guards managed to subdue her.

Police arrived soon after and transported the woman to a holding cell, where she awaits the filing of formal charges. Chief Anderson said she likely will be charged with criminal mischief, with additional charges possible.

A Target manager said she could not provide a damage assessment for the attack.
----------------------------------------------------------------
see also:  http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/06/24/frustrated-woman-grabs-louisville-slugger-smashes-target-store-windows/ and you can also watch a 1:23 video of her coming out of the Police Station (15 sec. advertisement plays first)  http://www.wpxi.com/news/28348223/detail.html

Target Video of Shoplifting arrests

If you have 7 minutes to spare you can watch Target security goons beat up accused shoplifters.

See Video footage of various shoplifters getting tackled by store security-
http://tinyurl.com/4xagc6e

Also 2:25 from another Target store: http://tinyurl.com/3wwvvtw  and also but with a 30 second lead in advertisement a video where the Target security guard gets maced and the shoplifter gets away http://tinyurl.com/3kflwr8. 
For a 3 minute wrestling match see:
http://tinyurl.com/6zbhllw

If you have some time on your hands you can also see: 
 http://tinyurl.com/cd4nd3  and
 http://tinyurl.com/3f7cheq

FYI:  The various 'apprehensions' shown here are all in violation of the Target Corporate Security guidelines (ie: AP Directives) which provide that:
B. Physical Altercation
If an altercation occurs:
1. Immediately attempt to disengage from the subject.
2. Allow the subject to exit the store.

This is found at:  http://targetapdirectives2006.blogspot.com/

Target Hires Only The Most Qualified Security Personnel

Former Target security agent arrested in thefts

SALEM, MA - MARCH 18 
 
A former Target store security guard, who was let go after he was accused of being a little too rough with a shoplifter, was arrested on shoplifting charges of his own on Saturday evening. Joseph Servizio, 32, of 5 Robb Road, Beverly, and Jason Stone, 37, of 12 Grant St., Beverly, were arrested — Stone after a foot chase that led into a yard on Berrywood Lane, shortly after 6 p.m. Police had spotted the pair on Highland Avenue near Willson Street after getting a report of shoplifters at the Target store on Highland Avenue.

When the vehicle they were in finally stopped, police said, Stone bailed out of the passenger side and took off, pursued by Patrolman Fred Ryan. As it turns out, Servizio was a former store security guard at the Target in Revere, where, Salem police learned, he had been let go after “slamming” a suspected shoplifter to the floor, according to a police report.

A security officer at the Salem store knew Servizio and was also aware that he was suspected of stealing from other Target stores, police said in their report. The security officer said he knew Servizio was in the store and began watching as he signaled Stone to take a Polaroid video game system valued at $157.48 and a pink backpack worth $10.

Stone pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Salem District Court yesterday, where he was ordered held on $2,500 cash bail. Servizio, who made bail over the weekend, is expected to appear in court today for arraignment.

The "Don't Join A Union" Video Target Makes New Employees Watch

The Consumerist has posted an article about the Anti-Union 13 minute video that all new Tarbutt employees must watch.

You can pull up the article at: http://tinyurl.com/4yb28u6, or just go to the Gawker site at: http://tinyurl.com/66y8x8y

The video, "Think Hard Before You Sign," has the production values and cheesy dialogue of an eight-grade educational film. It begins with an earnest discussion of Target's business agility, and, at about the 1:50 mark, the anti-union push begins in earnest.

Here is the link to read the full transcript of the video at:  http://tinyurl.com/69gruy5

===================================================
Jun 18, 2:13 AM EDT

NY Target store workers reject unionization

For entire article see: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TARGET_UNION?SITE=FLPAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
NEW YORK (AP) -- Workers at a Target store in New York voted against joining the country's largest retail union Friday night.

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1500 said it would contest the results and ask the federal government to order a new election, alleging that Target illegally intimidated workers.

Both sides said the workers at Target's Valley Stream store voted 137-85 against unionization. A "yes" vote would have made the store the first of the company's 1,700 locations to bring in organized labor.

"Workers are seeing their hours getting cut and their take-home pay, while basic costs for gas and food are soaring," says Burt Flickinger III, president of retail consultancy Strategic Resource Group. "They're increasingly frustrated."

Workers at the store in Valley Stream are upset about hourly wage increases amounting to eight cents or less, says Patrick Purcell, the union spokesman. Some employees also say their hours have been cut from 30 per week to fewer than 10.

Part-timers must bank at least 20 hours a week, on average, to qualify for benefits.

Tarbutt Recalls Additional 375,000 Booster Seats Because Kids Keep Falling Out Of Them

June 16, 2011  Almost two years ago, Target recalled around 43,000 Circo booster seats because a fault in the seat's buckle could end up with a child on the floor. But after kids continued to fall down and go boom, Target decided this week to expand that recall by 375,000 seats.

Yeah, you might as well recall the rest of them if the rug rats are still falling out of them 2 years later.  Good Move Tarbutt, better move would have been 2 years ago.

Target Sucks, relaxing at home says, 'The problem with doing nothing all day long is that you never know when you are finished.'

====================================

You weren't thinking of leaving were you?

You just got here, so stick around and see what else there is, then 'maybe' you can leave-

Got a new run of Target Sucks Post Cards

Going out over the next week or so are 1,500 post cards to various Tarbutt HQ management, individual stores and Tarbutt employees. If you want a nice post card drop a line with your address, have some nice magnets also available.

I have 3 sitemeters on my blog sites, every now and then I check them to see who is visiting my blogs. Today I saw another visit from:  IP Address:  Target Corporation, 161.225.129.111

Country:  United States
Region:  Minnesota
City:  Minneapolis
ISP:  Target Corporation

and the person got to me through googling: “working at Target corporate”

Backtracking I saw that the person came via a site I had not known of called Measured Up, a site for consumer comments and complaints. They have a largish section on good old Tarbutt, so I am pleased to let you know of this site where you can go to see just what a crappy firm that Tarbutt is, all this thanks to someone working at the Tarbutt Corporate Office who was goofing off and provided me with a nice blog entry.

Take a look at: http://target-reviews.measuredup.com/1775

TARGET HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS!!

I went by the local Tarbutt store today and it was CLOSED!  I thought, 'wow, they finally went out of business!'

Unfortunately, my wife told me that they were just closed because it was Easter.  I was extremely disappointed.  I guess they all had to go to church to pray that all the homosexuals caught AIDS.  Well at least we had one day off from having Target open!

Pa. woman sues over Target debt collection!

CNBC, AP and The Consumerist have picked up and reported the latest Tarbutt outrage. "AP: ' a Pa. woman sues over Target debt collection"

The basic allegation is:  "A western Pennsylvania woman filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against Target Corp. and its law firm over the discount department store chain's debt collection practices, saying false affidavits were used to go after customers who allegedly owed money to a subsidiary bank that issues the store's credit cards."

The plaintiff, Vicki Higgins is trying to obtain class action status for her suit saying that Target and their law firm, Patenaude and Felix APC (photo R), is: 'violating federal racketeering and Pennsylvania's fair credit laws.'

Ms Higgins was initially sued by Tarbutt in April 2009, but the suit was dropped five months later, however by that time she had piled up legal bills defending it and she now is suing not only to recover her costs but wants to make it a class action suit as well.  False notarized affidavits alleging debts were used in Targets filing against Ms. Higgins.

Having delt with 2 of Tarbutts law firms in a 23 month suit where they tried to close down this blogsite I know what a bunch of sleeze bags they are and I hope that they get their butts kicked.

For Details See: http://www.cnbc.com/id/42688832  and http://consumerist.com/2011/04/woman-sues-target-over-debt-collection-practices.html

Don't Expect A Fine Dining Experience At The Target Pizza Hut Express

"Today we went to the "brand new" store located in Oakland/Emeryville CA. After having a fair shopping experience and spending over $130 we chose to have a late lunch at the Pizza Hut Express located within the store. Here's where our day was ruined."


The longer article is found at: http://tinyurl.com/5sxz6ur.  Of course their first mistake was going to Tarbutt and the 2nd was trying to have a meal at a franchise operation that clearly did not give a crap.

The management at this T. should have been all over these clowns and told them not to take another food order until they had cleaned up their restaurant. But that is just how T. is, poor management all throughout their chain, shop somewhere else!

Drop them a line and let them know that  'TARGET SUCKS'  Oakland-Emeryville Target, 11555 40th Street, Emeryville, CA 94608, (510) 285-0559

Major Setback For Tarbutt!

Judge Rules That Pro-Gay Marriage Group Can Canvass Outside Of Target Stores

for full article see: http://tinyurl.com/6cguerp

Here is a short quote from the article:

SAN DIEGO -- A judge ruled Thursday that a San Diego pro-gay marriage group can continue canvassing outside of Target stores in California, but the group's volunteers must stay 30 feet away from store entrances and canvass at just one entrance at a time.

The Minnesota-based retail giant had sought an injunction barring the activists from every outlet in the state, alleging they harass customers by cornering them near store entrances to discuss gay marriage, solicit donations and collect signatures on petitions.

Rights advocates have warned that the legal battle between Target and Canvass For A Cause could further damage the retailer's already strained relations with the gay and lesbian community.

Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Barton said some Target stores may fall under California's law that considers shopping centers to be public forums. Also, canvassing over the last year occurred mainly without incident and Target failed to demonstrate that customers were being harassed, he said.

"Target has not met its burden to show that its blanket policy to ban all solicitors at all stores in California is proper," he wrote.