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Author
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Topic: Home Sick
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cbrancifort
Senior Member Posts: 6
From:Brook Park, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted June 26, 2001 08:47 AM
   
Plant Closing:
18 years in a plastic plant, the doors were closed in 1997. Sure I see a few of the comrades here and again, but after working 40 to 60 hour weeks I can’t help but miss the job and or plant. I want to explain what happened and hopefully you can pass it on to your upper management. 1995 we had excelled well and were running a 24-hour operation, 1996 we were presented with top awards out the 18 plants throughout the Country U.S.A. It was someone’s ideal to turn this plant into a continuous operation in efforts to cut over time cost. In (1995-96) everybody was making money and the people were doing a good job "greed" "bean counter" whose to say but this change to continous format took a devastating affect from the top inner management down to the packagers. Before it was done we had gone through 3or4 different shift change programs and hired so many new people that even the senior people had lost their way. We had 104 employees they wanted to step it up to 150 at full operation. Every week they would add about 30 new employees this went on for weeks. Seniors were expected to do their job and train the new hires at the same time it would have worked if there had been an extra for floor walking in each classification. When it came down to the addition of operators these guys got a 2week book course and were sent out on the floor to work. Any body that has run a line knows that adjusting one thing can blow the whole process. If its not broke don’t fix it! The quality and line production all took a large dip. Mostly all tired and frustrated there was almost a relief that the plant was going to close. Though I know a few of us old timers miss the place and wouldn’t want it to happen to another. Those 105 people lost their jobs on an experiment that took all the pride and quality then destroyed it. My suggestion would be to implement this possible plan into an entirely new plant while your starting from ground up.If you want to know more go ahead and ask.
CynthiaIP: Logged |
Tom C
Moderator Posts: 87
From:Wharton, NJ, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted June 26, 2001 05:43 PM
Been there, done that.Plant manager for 3-7 days/week, 2-4 shifts. A highly motivated 5 day operation will kick butt on a worn out, confused 7 day operation every time. Tom C @ CCS IP: Logged |
StyroFoam Man
Member Posts: 7
From:Palmyra Ny
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted October 11, 2001 03:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Tom C:
Been there, done that.Plant manager for 3-7 days/week, 2-4 shifts. A highly motivated 5 day operation will kick butt on a worn out, confused 7 day operation every time. Tom C @ CCS
Ain't that the truth. Worked for a 5-day plant for five years, left for a larger operation that runs 24-7. These people are tired and sore, and we have a horrible turn-over rate. Can't teach a high-school dropout Thermoforming in a week... Can't convince the Oldtimers to pass down thier wisdom, and managment only cares about the $$$ and the Managment-Style Fad Of The Week. No support, few good workers and constant tweeking from the managment. Been this way for 10+ years and two owner-changes they tell me. Is it possible to turn such a mess around? Or is it too late? IP: Logged |
Tom C
Moderator Posts: 87
From:Wharton, NJ, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted October 13, 2001 06:15 PM
It is possible to remedy, and has been done.My formula: Hire good workers and pay them well. Staff only what you can run well at any time. In other words you can probably staff 3 good 5 day shifts with your 7 day operation. Share the wealth. The owners are not the only ones interested in benefiting from an investment of time and effort. Good base wages + good bonuses = High company profits in my experience. Tom C
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Jr
Member Posts: 2
From:
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 19, 2002 02:54 AM
Just found this site and it looks great. As to this post. I feel for you. I currently and have for 14 years worked for a plant that has grown very fast in the last 5 years. We went from a 4 line plant to a 12 line plant, And the quilty of employees has went down big time. We are a 24-7 plant that has seen a huge turn over in the last few years. Most of our crews have 3 maybe 4 people that have a general idea of what to do. And tops of one per crew that knows what to do and when to do it. It is hard to make things work out when your trying to train new people everyday and about the time you get them started they end up leaving. Makes one want to throw in the towel sometimes. IP: Logged |
zabielski
Senior Member Posts: 92
From:McHenry, IL USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 19, 2002 05:57 AM
Sounds familiar. Things like this happen for the "unknowns". That is to say, the heavy weights drag down the profits as well. Efficiency experts ruin it all - every time. They will layer management with more layers, until the golden pot is empty. They forget to refill it - plain and simple.IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 19, 2002 11:18 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Jr:
of our crews have 3 maybe 4 people that have a general idea of what to do. And tops of one per crew that knows what to do and when to do it. It is hard to make things work out when your trying to train new people everyday and about the time you get them started they end up leaving. Makes one want to throw in the towel sometimes.
Going through that right now at TYCO. They refuse to hire anyone with skill. If you have no skill whatsoever, they will hire you right off the street as an operator. If you have any blown-film training or skill, they will refuse to hire you. Been working there for 6 months as a temp... Every month my case comes up for consideration and I get a nasty letter in the mail saying they don't have openings for one of my skill level.   Not sure what that means! Don't have room for someone with a degree and 8.5 years of skill?! Ah well... At lest the vending machine food is good.  IP: Logged |
Tom C
Moderator Posts: 87
From:Wharton, NJ, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted November 19, 2002 02:04 PM
BrianAndLiz,As a manager I can say for sure that they just don't want to pay more money for anyone. Also the trend is to hire temps so that benefits are not paid and layoffs are easy. Tom C
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Jr
Member Posts: 2
From:
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 20, 2002 01:56 AM
Tom. I see what you are saying. But that isnt always the case. They are paying some of the new people almost as much as some of the older ones. It is a case of not what you know but who you know. There is no where else around here that you can make better money and they know it. So they wont give you a decent raise. But a new guy that has been there 6 months will get a good one and end up being up to with in a couple of dollars of someone who has 15 or more years in. The person that has the years in can do anything they are asked on the floor while the new guy can do one thing. Push a broom. That is about it and i am thinkin some of them have problems doing that. Some of them get a couple of days off and they forget how to clock back in to work.. lol Anyway guess that is the breaks... "If there is a plastic plant in the sky, I never want to die."  IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 20, 2002 04:29 PM
Well, it is a mistake to assume that the new guy can only push a broom. I get alot of that, being 28 looking like I'm 18. No one want's to hear about what I can do, they're only intrested in which agency I'm willing to sign with, and how many cardboard boxes I can assemble an hour. Always the first on the layoff list because "You're young! You'll bounce back!" Yeah... 6 layoffs in 2 years... Imagain what the resume looks like! Last on the promotion list because "You are too young to understand the job/paperwork/have no skills/too dumb because of age..." Wife is getting the same flak too... She wants to quit her current job and find one with better hours but no one is willing to hire a 27-year-old pellet-mill operator because she's too "young" to know anything... (10 years on the job...) This is why we're both looking to get the hell out of plastics. I'm tired of assembling cardboard boxes and she is tired of rotating 12hour shifts.
Brian "BlowFilm Bastard" Richard
Liz "Reclaim Dame" Ricahrd
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Tom C
Moderator Posts: 87
From:Wharton, NJ, USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted November 20, 2002 10:30 PM
Brian,I'll agree, plastics is no longer a place to make a fortune. Just curious, what is your degree in? Tom C IP: Logged |
zabielski
Senior Member Posts: 92
From:McHenry, IL USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 21, 2002 06:41 AM
Brian&Liz: I'd suggest you find a smaller Company to work for, and they are indeed hard to find. However, they tend to put more value in people than just being another number.You may get some excellent leads from your local Community College as well as going to your Unemployment Office. Once your in the Temp Agency tacklebox - it is very hard to break away from them. Your so to speak - a "marked" man. They will continuosly hound you even when you make a clean break. IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 22, 2002 10:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Tom C:
Brian,I'll agree, plastics is no longer a place to make a fortune. Just curious, what is your degree in? Tom C
"Plastic Technology..." Its a two-year degree from the local collage. Matters not now, we're both getting picked up by the new float-glass plant here in Geneva. Start on the tenth. Looks intresting. Never ran a sputter-coater before.
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BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted November 22, 2002 10:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by zabielski:
Brian&Liz: I'd suggest you find a smaller Company to work for, and they are indeed hard to find. However, they tend to put more value in people than just being another number.
Ha! Spent four years assembling cardboard boxes while everyone else around me got promoted. Seems I was "The best dang box maker they ever had..." So I left. Four years without a raise is a loooong time... Now, anyone here know anything about float glass?
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StrapGod
Senior Member Posts: 16
From:RH, SC USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted January 08, 2003 09:48 PM
Move South - economy much better I believe than the fridgid north. My company has had 3 record setting years in sales and production and although we have slowdowns - growth is our plan. Quality priority #1. I would pay a premium to find people with experiance. Paying top doallars in this area for people with little or no manufacturing experiance - can't find 'em!IP: Logged |
zabielski
Senior Member Posts: 92
From:McHenry, IL USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 09, 2003 08:00 AM
Why not post your Companys address & web-site here? You may be flooded with new talents, new idea's and provide growth to your economy.IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 13, 2003 02:08 PM
So, several weeks into the new year... still unemployeed (long story) but things are slightly better.How's the outlook for this year? More downturn? Thing going to get better? Down south eh? How far south? IP: Logged |
zabielski
Senior Member Posts: 92
From:McHenry, IL USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 14, 2003 05:25 AM
Brian&Liz: When your again employed, I'd suggest you not post the Company's name that your working for, nor rag-on and on with that Companys Management philosophy.I could see from your past posts on this and other forums that eventually you'd be tagged and gotten rid of. Go ahaed and re-read all that you have previosly posted, now that you have time on your hands. It is a lot more negative than the average. I wish you sucess in your new job - but do think about what I've said here. IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 15, 2003 02:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by zabielski:
I wish you sucess in your new job - but do think about what I've said here.
Thanks. We've pretty much given up on plastic employment. Companies 'round here are going belly up faster than ants under a sight-glass. However, if you want to help us, buy lots of Parker Hanifin products so that they'll hire us on full time.
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cbrancifort
Senior Member Posts: 6
From:Brook Park, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted January 26, 2003 08:25 PM
Hello,
I am glad you liked my story enough to keep posting to it. I once a floor rat, stolen name but true have been doing the home health care thing for the past year and can attest that I rather be tossing 25 pound lump’s in a bin after a hard day at the plant than doing this kind of work (honest). Plastic’s is in my blood, born an bread since I was young should have invested in it, way back when. Hindsight, foresight there is nothing plastic about me. And I have yet to loose the desire to get back into it. Is there is anyone in the Cleveland area looking for someone with 18 years experience in the blow mold extrusion arena? I would be more than happy to come out and put my application in. Thanks for posting and pulling me back to the site, even though it was getting a little off track from original post and good luck to those, how does anybody live on 8 bucks an hour? Tom, if something like this is not allowed please feel free to pull it.
Thanks to all, Cindy
[This message has been edited by cbrancifort (edited January 27, 2003).] IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 27, 2003 10:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by cbrancifort:
(snip) good luck to those, how does anybody live on 8 bucks an hour?
You don't live on $8 an hour, you simply exist.  IP: Logged |
cbrancifort
Senior Member Posts: 6
From:Brook Park, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted January 27, 2003 07:35 PM
Brian & Liz, I hope you did not take this post in the wrong way cause my intent was that, that’s what they pay you to take care of a handicapped person that is unable to do for themselves, imagine that. My grief comes in when their SS check amounts more than my paycheck. And the agency that hires me keeps 2thirds of what they receive for that individuals care. While there are no benefits, no vacations, no holidays, and auto expense you have to figure this one out for yourself. This kind of pay will only feed you and still send you to bed hungry. Anyways there is something seriously wrong with this setup and I hope I’m not over stepping my bounds on this one. But those temp agencies there covering their own butt also, those that are hiring threw these outfits are only hindering the American public even more, by robbing from the poor to give back to the rich. That’s Business, too quote not exact words, ~ you can’t take love to the bank, people don’t care they just want product~.
Best, Cindy
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BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 28, 2003 12:30 PM
Would it suprise you to know I feel the same way? Both of us are working as temps for $7.50 right now. Rather than angering the rest of the people here, what say we continue this via Email.
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cbrancifort
Senior Member Posts: 6
From:Brook Park, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted January 28, 2003 09:27 PM
Brian and LizHi,I think I'm about ready to get somebody mad by now. I really wouldn't be surprised at all if some of these temp agencies aren't owned by those that are doing the hiring, kind of like keeping it in the family but only separate enough to protect their assets. ~Consolidations~ and to be honest with you, I'm not sure if it is the Americans that are the ones behind this stuff? We have been at war with the powers from below( underground) for a long time from those that wish to prove us Americans as jack assets literally!!! and money can do that. Who's chasing the carrot? We have let the money come in and go out of this Country like water and the American's money just don't talk the way it use to. Check the statistics on this one out. Free Trade is not avaiable to Americans in America. If I was a corporation with clout I branch out to other Countries and bring it back in, it would be cheaper.??? I'll hush my mouth for awhile on this one now,this is just my opinion.
Best, Cindy
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BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 29, 2003 11:41 AM
Just got back from an interview at CryoVac. After sitting there and being insulted for A)being jewish and B) Being a "Unamerican Asshole" for not serving in the armed forces (I have asthma! It was thier choice, not mine!) I recived a letter today. Basicly it says they cannot hire me on full time as a foam extrusion operator even though I'm fully qualified for that position BECAUSE IT WOULD VIOLATE THIER AGREEMENT WITH KELLY SERVICE! I am welcome to contact Kelly and they'll bring me in as either a janitor or warehouse grunt for 30 days. I'll put this in the pile with the other 40 letters that say the same thing. Me thinks it's time to hire a lawyer. Oh, and Cindy... I read your other post. No one here is intrested in honest feedback on how thier operation is run. I've fallen for that. Honest = Kiss My Butt. [This message has been edited by BrianAndLiz (edited January 29, 2003).] IP: Logged |
cbrancifort
Senior Member Posts: 6
From:Brook Park, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted January 29, 2003 04:38 PM
Brian and Liz
Well, well handicapped but not enough gee that’s just not fair. It’s got to make one wonder just how far society has swept us beneath their feet. I’m sorry about the bigotree that stands in your way. And I guess one might say we put our foot in our mouth each time we post, and those that are reading these posts may just find it entertaining enough to feel sorry for us and hire us anyways.I don’t doubt that they haven’t or won’t learn something from such postings. I imagine they hire people just to read these posts, as there is a vast amount of free information given through them everyday. Can it be that sneaky??? The wonders of Internet, it’s like bringing all the pieces together. Anyways I am like that sponge seeing the familiarity and redundancies of questions posted in these plastic forums and I am well aware of meaning of black-flagging posters. I can only attest to knowing what I know. There will probably always be someone smarter than them,you and me. I guess my fault has been that I have always been a team player that came with the Total Quality Control training. Would anyone be interested in seeing the awards that I worked so hard for at my own expense when nobody else would step in??/?unless I begged!!?like some kind of private war between corporate and employees. Been there done that! The need is coming up with the best solutions to remedy the problems ~ economics ~ and how to compete, so we can keep the jobs here in America. I'll sing a new tune, I'm thinking about jobs for our children. I really don’t believe honesty is completely dead in the corporate masses of America it’s the ten to twenty percent ?? that has caused this labeling for all, and I guess I would be really mad at this, if that was the only place my bread and butter was coming from!!.
Best, Cindy
[This message has been edited by cbrancifort (edited February 09, 2003).] IP: Logged |
zabielski
Senior Member Posts: 92
From:McHenry, IL USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 30, 2003 07:19 AM
Brian&Liz: It's a sham to be stuck as a TEMP for sure, and what you ought to be looking for is a way out of that KELLY contract. You'r both indentured "slaves" to them, and I mean no malice to you both. You have to do something drastic to get out of their clutches.Perhaps the cheapest way out is to take them to small claims court where you represent yourself. If they don't show, then the contract you signed may be thrown out of court. Check with your local small claims court to see what the "limits" are. I believe it is $ 5000.00. If Kelly can't gaurantee that to you, (i.e. by not providing you with work) maybe you'll even win a judgement against them. If the contract stick's - take them to court every month! It sounds like it is your turn to harass them and if you continue todo that, they just might 'voluntarily" break your contract. I'd also suggest you go to a legal aid group as well. Do what's in your hearts. Hope you kept a detailed list of the people who you talked with at CRYOVAC, as it sounds to me they violated your interview. IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 30, 2003 11:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by cbrancifort:
Trailer: Are you anti American or just disgusted with the failure of job placement? I see you are from New York; all I can say is that you must have some braveness to remain in the Big Apple without a decent job, one that could support you. My personal opinion only, I’d be packing my bags yesterday. Not funny!!! Honest
Far from it. I was born here, raised here, and I'll most likely die here (or Canada, but that's really the same thing. ) We're located up in Rochester, far from the "Big Apple." Intresting thing is we just got back this morning from "east of here" (Oswego and Albany) and there appear to be jobs out that way. We'll see. IP: Logged |
BrianAndLiz
Senior Member Posts: 32
From:New York
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 30, 2003 11:54 AM
Belive me, we're working on it. It's not just CryoVac. As I said above, I have a collection of letters from other openings that basicly say the same thing.Before we do anything drastic, we're looking outside the Rochester Metro area for work. We'll see if its a state-wide thing or just a local issue.
quote:
Originally posted by zabielski:
Brian&Liz: It's a sham to be stuck as a TEMP for sure, and what you ought to be looking for is a way out of that KELLY contract. You'r both indentured "slaves" to them, and I mean no malice to you both. You have to do something drastic to get out of their clutches.Perhaps the cheapest way out is to take them to small claims court where you represent yourself. If they don't show, then the contract you signed may be thrown out of court. Check with your local small claims court to see what the "limits" are. I believe it is $ 5000.00. If Kelly can't gaurantee that to you, (i.e. by not providing you with work) maybe you'll even win a judgement against them. If the contract stick's - take them to court every month! It sounds like it is your turn to harass them and if you continue todo that, they just might 'voluntarily" break your contract. I'd also suggest you go to a legal aid group as well. Do what's in your hearts. Hope you kept a detailed list of the people who you talked with at CRYOVAC, as it sounds to me they violated your interview.
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