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Saturday, July 25, 1998     Page:

Worker feels victimized by area’s low salaries and harsh management
   
I would like to thank Christine Gozick for her recent letter as an attempt
to bring recognition to the way local employers nickel-and-dime their
employees
    (July 12)In my case, I have 20 years of service working for a local food
market chain. The highest position I held was that of full-time assistant
store manager. However, due to kidney failure and the need for three
time-consuming dialysis treatments every week to remain alive, I was unable to
continue working a full 40-hour week.
   
I received a letter in the mail which gave me two days’ notice that my
status was being changed to part-time and, more importantly, my eligibility
for group health and medical insurance through the company would be
terminated. The timing of this change could not have been more perfect for my
employer, since I received my kidney transplant just three weeks later.
   
The highest salary I have ever received is my current one of $6.70 per
hour. Usually, there is a once-a-year, across-the-board raise of 15 or 20
cents, so at thi