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July 29, 2002
My
fellow workers,
As
you are probably aware, the channel groups have been a source of many of the
most difficult problems stemming from our adoption of the
workgroup/pay-for-knowledge system. A combination of contract language and the
artificial divisions imposed within grinding and assembly has led to some very
unintended consequences. Most notably, there have been instances in which
senior employees in one
channel have been forced onto back shifts while junior employees, with
essentially the same duties in other channels, have remained on day work.
We’ve also seen similar situations in which junior employees have been given
training opportunities and shift preference over senior employees. These are
critical problems that disrupt both the work and lives of our members, and
therefore need to be addressed.
From
the beginning we have recognized that the new system is far from perfect.
We’ve periodically examined it to see what is and isn’t working, and
compared it to our old system, looking for the most effective and compatible
components of each. We’ve then made changes accordingly. By blending the
best of both, those aspects that stabilize our workforce and provide
opportunities for advancement while at the same time giving the Company
greater flexibility, we have tried to shape a system that both benefits our
membership and leaves the Company in a better position to meet its production
and financial goals. Unfortunately this is not a short-term process. Twice
previously we have made such changes, and today we’ve made yet another.
By
combining the individual channel groups into a single group with a clear
division between the assembly and grind areas, we now have a structure very
similar to the Assembly and Grinding departments of old – a goal our Union
has been working toward for some time. Combined with a new skills matrix, this
means that employees in assembly can remain focused where they’re most
comfortable while those in grinding will no longer be required to train in
skills that, in all likelihood, will never be put to use. At the same time,
there are still opportunities to move between assembly and grinding, and an
avenue by which everyone in the group may advance. But perhaps most
importantly, the channels will no longer hamper our exercise of seniority.
There
are some who would still like to see this whole “workgroup thing” thrown
out the window, but that’s just not going to happen. Too many people have
already benefited from it and a great many more stand to do so in the future.
We are very aware that there are a number of problems yet to be addressed,
such as various training issues and the fact that some areas have gotten more
attention than others. Our goal now is to take these issues on one at a time
and to continue making changes in order to bring all the benefits of the new
(and hopefully improving) system to each and every one of our members.
In
solidarity,
John.
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