I started 2006 as a struggling advertising salesman, away from my family 5 days a week, working out of a hotel room. I was discovering that the ad venue I was selling wasn't very popular, and I needed to seriously seek stable employment soon.
After 2 months of fruitless job hunting, I was browsing the Career Builder web site, and behold - Daimler Chrysler was hiring off the street! I was stunned! All my life I had been told that to get in to an auto plant you had to have a recommendation from an employee, and I didn't know anyone well enough to have one. And now they were advertising for applications. I immediately applied, and began the month long testing process.
Every time they called and told me I had advanced to the next step I was overjoyed. If I didn't blow it, I would have the best paying temp job around - even if it was only for 119 days. Finally I jumped the last hurdle and was hired in May of 2006. I went to the line on first shift. Shortly after I began, we were approached about becoming ETEs for a (up to) 2 year contract. 2 years sounded a lot better than 119 days, so I signed up.
Third shift would be my assignment - in the same team I had been on. One day after third shift began my third child was born - and I had to take my first day off. Life was good! I was making more money than I ever had before, and we had a wonderful new addition to our family. The cars seemed to be selling well, and we hoped that continued sales success would mean full time permanent employment for us temps.
Suddenly ominous rumblings began - and many of us ETEs began to be laid off. Some who were misled about their employment contract started a law suit. How come we were being laid off so soon, when we were just hired a few months ago?
Then came the news that the company was up for sale. What would that mean for us? We heard that major cutbacks were being made (the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre). Did that mean large numbers of transfers were going to come and bump us out?
Cerberus successfully purchased 81% of Chrysler, and a whole new wave of rumors began. Would we be chopped up and sold apart for a quick profit, as some other companies had? Or would this be the benefactor that would save the company from ruin? No one could do anything but speculate.
Summer turned to Fall, and the contract negotiations were in full swing. The UAW and GM hammered out an agreement, and it was said that they hired tousands of their temps. We ETEs held on to a hope that a similar "pattern agreement" would result in our being hired permanent as well.
My family and I moved to a new home in September. We had the ranch house we had desired for many years. Shortly after moving in, we were informed that I would be laid off for 2 weeks in October. It would be tight, but we would manage. We'd have to! While we were off, the tentative contract agreement was made after a 6 hour strike.
Slowly, the details of the conract began to emerge - particularly on this web site. ETEs were not mentioned, our absence speaking volumes. We were not to be hired as permanent employees. Our temp status was even in question. Rumor had it that the entire third shift would soon be history.
Reality sank in that I would soon be back job hunting again - two years older than the last time I was hitting the bricks. I do not regret my time at Chrysler - I am happy for the opportunity to have made new friends and earned a good wage while doing it. I'm sad that it didn't turn into a long term job.
My hope is that my UAW brothers & sisters will work together in a spirit of unity and common purpose, to better everyone's future, no matter what their state of seniority. When we help others, we can't help but better ourselves. God bless you all. |
Split: Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:02 am by BrianLaws