SlowpokeBlog

I have worked both as a grocery store cashier and web designer, so you would think I'd have no problem with those computerized checkout machines that are infiltrating supermarkets everywhere. But you'd be wrong. I have yet to pass through one of those automated gauntlets without exploding with rage.

This is not to suggest I am opposed to all forms of automation. ATM machines, for example, are pretty handy. But the "U-Scan" machines at the grocery store do not make life more convenient. Especially if you buy a lot of produce or bulk items. A couple weeks ago, Mr. Slowpoke and I were forced to go through one of these bastard lanes because we were shopping late at night, and the store literally had no human cashiers on duty. Among our purchases were two ears of corn. To simply to locate "corn" on the computer was a labyrinthine process out of the movie Brazil. Though we were eventually rewarded with the hilarious bot-speak: "YOU HAVE SELECTED... (long pause)... CORN!!!"

Don't even get me started about the previous time, when the machine scanned an item twice.

The United Food and Commercial Workers' union has an article on self-checkout machines worth reading. In addition to the threat they pose to a shrinking pool of working-class jobs, they make for highly demoralizing work:

Margaret Christy, an Atlanta Kroger cashier of nine years and member of Local 1996, can feel Kimbro’s stress—times two. She’s in charge of eight U-Scan checkouts: four larger-sized carousels for any size order, and four smaller-sized ones for 15 items or less.

“Customers sometimes get angry because I’m taking care of someone who has a check, and then another who has coupons. Some will just walk off and go to a cashier, or some will get nasty with me. It gets stressful, because there is only so much I can do with eight U-Scans. I’m told not to take it personally, but it’s hard not to when customers are yelling at me. It’s tiring.”

The article goes on to report that the IHL Consulting Group -- a firm that collects data on retailing technology -- found that “the actual transaction process is faster with staffed checkout because of the experience of the checker and the avoidance of delays from the security features of the self-checkout devices.” Yes, the UFCW has an interest in protecting jobs. But the article strikes me as fair-minded. So, Kroger and Giant: next time you force me to do your labor, I'd like to be paid for it. And health insurance would be nice, too.