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Heavy Construction Equipment Operator
QUESTION:Poorly fabricated parts are nearly always traceable to a machine
and its operator. A poor machine operator should not be tolerated
by management, and I have never seen an incapable operator
defended by the UAW. I was an autoworker for 9 years, but not
since 1978, and can speak of my experience only.
A good part of that experience was working as an operator of heavy
presses and shears, which are pretty basic, but essential, machines.
I have seen first-hand how poorly designed and maintained machines,
dies, rams, blades, etc, make the production of quality bends and cuts
either impossible, or requiring of so much manual intervention that it is
impractical. Of course, further along in the production process somebody
has to adjust, which is where the poor fit occurs.
I fought management many times because they were forcing me to work
with machines which could not do the job they were supposed to do with
the measure of precision required. It was brutal and dangerous work, but
very satisfying if the product was good. But most discouraging when
breaking your back to turn out garbage and scrap. The union stood
behind me in my many *discussions* with management, but it was a losing
battle, and I quit before I was fired. The company, BTW, was International
Harvester, which was a big player in heavy construction equipment. They
are the ones who were eventually fired from the construction equipment
business.
Since then, unions have become 'partners in quality' with manufacturers,
and manufacturers, I think, have invested heavily in foreign machinery.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
ANSWER: I totally agree with you about management being responsible for the quality
of a product, but as far as the worker hiding behind the union, you have it
backwards. It is most often management which hides its incompetence
behind the 'its the union's fault' excuse.
Looks like VW can't use that excuse in Mexico, because AFAIK, the Mexican
workers aren't unionized. But that won't stop people from blaming the
workers. Having worked with many Mexicans, I can say that putting the
blame on them is just another copout.
BTW, as a manager, I find that in most cases you can expect the same
out of people as you are willing to give, and quite often more. 'Course I
don't have to deal with union members
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