The Dollar General store in Wisconsin recently made headlines when its entire staff, including manager Trina Tribolet, resigned, citing concerns about low pay and excessive workload. This surprising mass exodus occurred when the six employees failed to show up for work on March 9. Instead, they left a handcrafted sign at the Mineral Point store, announcing their collective resignation.
Tribolet, who had been working nonstop seven days a week for quite some time, revealed that she, as the manager, had limitations on allocating paid hours to her team. Finally, after a long stretch since Christmas, she had her first break over the recent weekend. The constant pressure of overwork and feeling undervalued had pushed the employees to a breaking point.
Two signs stood out at the store’s front: one boldly stating “We quit!” and another carefully explaining their grievances. The issues highlighted included a lack of appreciation, overwhelming workloads, and inadequate compensation, which ultimately drove the entire staff to resign.
The tipping point for Tribolet and her colleagues was Dollar General’s strict food donation policy. The policy required them to dispose of items nearing expiration or those no longer stocked by the store. Despite their attempts to label these items as damaged for donation, management intervened, forcing them to stop their efforts. This led to their ultimate decision to resign.
In response to the employee walkout, Dollar General acknowledged the temporary closure of the store for three hours on March 9 due to staffing shortages. They quickly hired new personnel to fill the gap left by the departing employees. The company defended its policies, emphasizing its partnership with Feeding America and its commitment to food safety. In fact, the Mineral Point store alone had donated almost 7,500 pounds of food to local food banks over the past year.
Currently, Tribolet is taking a mental health break, while her former colleagues have already found alternative employment opportunities. However, their departure sheds light on larger issues within the retail sector, particularly regarding wage disparities. According to the Economic Policy Institute’s Company Wage Tracker, a staggering 92 percent of Dollar General employees earn less than $15 per hour, with a significant portion receiving wages between $10-12 per hour.
The events that unfolded at the Mineral Point Dollar General store serve as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by frontline workers, who often struggle with fair compensation, working conditions, and corporate policies. As conversations around labor rights and wage equality gain momentum, the actions of Tribolet and her team highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to ensure the well-being and dignity of all employees.
