So, I took a job at our local YMCA back in September so that we could afford for the kids to continue taking classes there.  Between paying for all of the classes for 4 kids, and the $600 membership per year, it was just becoming an unnecessary expense.  I was thrilled when the director of the Y approached me with a deal I couldn't resist:  Teach a class (or 2)for toddlers and preschoolers, and recieve MY membership for free (knocking our family membership down to $200+ per year), get $8 per class that I teach (so $56 total for teaching one class for 7 weeks, pre-taxes) and get 50% off of all classes for everyone in the family.  Since we were paying over $100 every 7 weeks for classes, that was an awesome deal!

So this morning, in addition to my paycheck (a whooping $44 since I am now teaching 3 classes!!) I recieved a note which detailed the Y's new employee discount plan.  Starting immediately all part-time employees will only be able to recieve a 25% discount on class fees.  Grrr!

Now, I took the job strictly so that we could save the money on the kids' classes, which was getting a little out of hand in addition to dance, TKD, piano, violin, etc.   I wanted my "paycheck" to eventually go toward paying for these lessons so that I wouldn't even have to tap into Hubby's paycheck for this money at all, and now I'm right back in the same spot. 

And when you factor in the minimal amount I get paid for my efforts, the fact that I show up a half hour early to set up and stay late to clean-up and don't get paid for it, prep time, and the fact that I purchase materials on my own dime and never ask for reimbursment, taking this pay-cut is really irritating me!  I know the Y is trying to save money by rescinding this offer to employees, but really it is just going to end up costing them money when I stop taking classes all together. 

I also feel really unappreciated for the job that I do there.  I mean, it is like they are just saying that they really don't care!  All of the teachers of the classes that the kids take are part-time workers.  I wonder how they feel about being told that they are worth less?  I was hired thinking that I would have 50% off and now they dropped it down to 25%?  I wouldn't accept a 25% decrease in pay for any other job!

I'm mad and I'm venting...  I don't know what I am going to do just yet.  I told the executive director and the program director what I thought of this situation and they are looking into it.  I can't imagine that I am the only part-time employee that is effected and offended by this course of action.  I think maybe this is the incentive that I need to make a break from our lives at the YMCA.  It is a shame to leave this way after 8 years.....  I don't know what to do...