February 20, 2012
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first day on 8's...
alright, it was a bit of a fiasco at the beginning of the shift. first I had to deal with working along side someone (from B crew) who's condescending and teaches me the right way to do the job at hand, as if I'd only been at the stalag for a week (the B crew way is the only and obvious way, according to his highness, even though it's harder and more of a pain in the ass). I let him be the boss because that's what he is in his mind, but decide if he belittles me too much, or acts too high and mighty I'm gonna let him know. it's when he fixed a rather easy problem then proclaims how genius he is, not once but three times, for fixing said problem, I tell him "don't break your damn arm while patting yourself on the back", he said "what?!". I didn't repeat it. luckily I didn't have to work with him for too long before moving to station 19, across from Jody (who came from 'A' crew). her and I got off on a bad footing with our new boss while trying to defend the hourly rotation that we used to have (that 1st and second shift currently have, yet we get stuck with rotating at every break. about 3 hours doing the same job, increasing the chance of getting hurt). she's recently been on restriction for a shoulder injury incurred while her shift was on the 3 hour rotation. I recently had that tendon thinger with my left wrist due to the same lame rotation, yet our new boss insists that rotating every hour won't help. we insist that it has and will. I even tell him what the company doctor told me about the huge increases in injuries since the break to break rotation started, and the HR peoples hands being tide by decisions the higher ups made, that they seemingly can't change. he makes threats that we'll get moved to track marriage if we don't comply and he's never had anyone hurt on his shift...blah, blah, blah. I point at Jody and say "HER SHOULDER'S HURTING RIGHT NOW!! that's why she (and I) bring it up to begin with. he comes back with the lamest garbage. if he isn't gonna listen to his people, I'll simply choose to not listen and respect what he has to say either. I thought he was gonna be better than my last vacant boss, turns out he's pretty hard headed. I'm not sure what's worse, having a completely vacant boss (zero communication), or one that's not open to real concerns and suggestions ('my way or work somewhere else' communication)? after first break, things went a bit smoother. no confrontations, or problems (over and above the normal crappola). then, at the end of the shift, we're told we have to stay an extra 10 minutes...why?! I thought they explained this was a straight 8 shift. I can dig hangin' around for an extra 3 maybe for the next shift's person to take over your station, but 10? good gawd, it can't be for cleaning up, we do that when we run out of rails (as we often do). they're trying to squeeze every penny out of us. I'm sure those extra 10 minutes a day won't be paid for either...anyway. I don't mean to make it all sound bad, I haven't met every one, but the peeps I have met (other than his ass-holiness, and the boss, which were both minor bullshit confrontations) seem pretty cool. thing's should relax as time goes on...workin' 4 hours less per shift is pretty awesome (so far)! I know I'll miss my midweek "week-end" but one has to adapt or find work elsewhere, only to find a new set of disgruntled complaints, etc. such is the life of a factory rat
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