Here's my situation, I've worked for the same Co. for 20yrs (17 of those as lead Mechanic). We were Unionizes and the owner was a nice enough guy, he gave me a $1000.00/mo budget(not including lane supplies or Bowling Pins) for mach prts in a 24ln center... He believed in "if it's not broken don't fix it, but if it breaks, you better have the prts in the inventory to fix it and I'll pay you OT to get it fixed before the sun comes up"....
Then the bowl closed.... now I'm working B shift in a non-union 40+ ln center... I've known the owner for as many years as I've known my previose employer, so he knows my qualifications... the owner didn't hire me for the Lead position (but paid me higher than his lead person, because of my experience & promise of silence)....
About a yr ago, the Lead Mech gave his notice & quit.... when I spoke to the owner (at that time) he said he could not even come close to my previose wages(not to mention the benis I was getting), but he wanted to keep me in my same position(B Mech).... anyways, he hired some ex-BrunsCorp Mech from out of state....
Now this Kid is just 21yrs old (and I'm 40+yrs old)..... He started out(like they all do), balls to the wall the 1st couple of weeks(you know throwing out all the 30yr old junk & wanting to make the place better & organized).... Well after pulling all the BrunsPrts back into the shop, I figured I would teach this Kid alittle something about our trade(at least the differance between junk & used P/S prts), so I came in early and we spoke, the conversation went well and he said he understood.....
as time went on I started noticing differant things, being jury rigged(and not just on 1 P/S, but 10-20 at a time)....Woa, needless to say, I'm working my aryes off to put things back and get the trouble calls back to normal.... So, again I point out some of the things that "should be" and again, this Kid seems receptive.... Mmm, but wait, I punched in 5 mins early and he's already gone home(no call sheet in back, Kids never filled one out), all I find is all the old prt(from some project) behind (x)lane w/ all the tools to boot....after about a mo of picking up after him(and mentioning to the Gen manager about his lack of communications), she says "if I can help in any way, she will pay me OT to train him".... So I come in a couple of hrs early and we talk about PM & parts inventorying & budgeting & team work & communications.... and again, he smiles & says he understands fully & agrees....
But now he's avoiding me like the plauge(clocking out 20 mins early, until the GM started docking his pay, so he just hangs in a corner until I go in back, then he clocks out)....
Now here's the problem, I believe in a command structure, so I just don't go over someones head just because they don't like me(or what I have to say) and I always go straight to the source when something needs saying and I alway try to help others on the team when ever possible.... and I try not to overstep my position(or the position I was hired for).....
In other words, I was hired as a B Mechanic not the Lead Mechanic.... I fix PinSetters, I don't decide what shot to put on the lanes, I don't check the adjustments on the ln Mach, I don't Purchase parts or do inventory control, I'm not a welder or an Electricion or a Plumber or a Carpenter, I wasn't hired to take on these responsabilities (although I'm quite good at all these, just not recieving compensation for these duties)...
But I've come to a blockage, we are running out of parts(or should I say, the correct prt for the job)... all I have left is re-cycled(4 & 5 times re-cycled) everything.... I pull a pit brd out, the Kid jurry rig's it & puts it into another lane.... I place the parts # back on the list and the Kid red lines it for a 3rd mo in a row.... all I can do is run the calls, the Kid takes off the helper springs during the day and I put them back on at night, so the balls will go up the rods...
So what do you folks think I should do:
1) ShutTFup and do my job, the best possible, then go home....
2) Talk to this guy again to seek a compromise...
3) Go to the GManager with the parts list, asking "Who's in charge of the ordering around here? ****s starting to fall apart!"
4) Apply for the position & negotiate for higher compensations (wages & Benis)....
Thx for reading this far.....
[This message has been edited by Mike Wilson (edited 01-19-2000).]
Comment