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james scott
MODerator
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Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 153
Location: ST LOUIS NORTH RAM PLANT UAW
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:34 am Post subject: factory work easy or hard ?? |
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i want to hear from some ete's that have never worked in a factory before coming to chrysler. the american public thinks that we all in the uaw got it easy we are fat lazy and put in 1 bolt etc etc. tell me what you think after 2 years doing the jobs. i don't wanna hear how the union the company stuck it to ya cause they have and will keep doing that. just tell us how you thought it would be and how it actually turned out job wise. and if you have a new view of it now after 2 years. OH YEAH AND WATCH THE FAT JOKES YOU MIGHT HURT MY FEELINGS . HEHEHE  JAMES |
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Catnip
Super Member
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Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Posts: 97
Location: unemployment line...lol
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:30 am Post subject: |
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Some of the jobs that I have done are pretty easy, but there are others that are definitely a pain in the arse! And the majority of them, after doing them for a while, will most certainly take a major toll on you body. I now understand why there are so many people with carpel tunnel, bad shoulders, backs, knees, etc.
On the other hand, I personally have never had a job before, that if you have down time, you don't have to do a damn thing, you can sit and read for an hour at a time. In that respect this is the easiest job I have ever had. |
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Michael Lee Victor
Super Member
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Joined: 11 Oct 2007
Posts: 111
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:06 am Post subject: |
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I agree with you, Catnip. Some of the most challenging work I've ever done has been on this line (especially being over 50), and I've also done some of the easiest (one night in Body Shop!), or like you say, sitting around collecting money. Would that they would balance each other out - but the mornings I've needed Tylenol have far outweighed those I have not. |
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Jc2722
Super Member
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Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Posts: 149
Location: Team #9 Hoods/Fenders Bodyshop
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:56 am Post subject: |
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I will speak on my current team/job.
Everyone who comes has problems opening their fingers after a few hours, for the next 2 weeks they have problems peeling their fingers off there steering wheel when driving home at night.
After months on the job, the repetitive movement destroys your wrist and hands/grip. I constantly see people massaging their fingers to get feeling back, twisting their wrist to ease the ache.
But, we are compl,ainers if we say anything..and, for the most part...only us ETE's know the job (other than the 1st shift team which has seniority people)...but 2nd and 3rd are nearly all ETE's. We
(2nd) cannot seem to keep a seniority team member for more than a few days before they are gone. We are still not training any seniority people...but i guess something will have to change soon.
Jeremy |
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Kristie
Valued Member
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Joined: 15 Oct 2007
Posts: 41
Location: BAP - group 8 team 1 2nd shift
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:02 am Post subject: |
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When I started I have only ever worked office jobs, so this was my first physical job. I was stuck with a woman that didn't want to train me, I felt like I was stupid - which is something I've never felt. I have always grasped new skills quickly. I told the teamleader that I have learned everything that I could from her, and asked if I could work a day with each person on the team. Little did I know that the job wasn't that bad! I picked up the job right away, after being placed with the other team members!
But, I lost 25 pounds, and 2 pant sizes - this is the best gym membership I never paid for! I enjoy not working with the general public - I have always had a customer service job prior to this. I had so many people approach me after I started out here at Chrysler asking me - why would you leave such an easy job to come out here? The answer "Why are you out here?", well I wanted a paycheck just like the rest of the Chrysler workers out here do! I doubled my income, by sweating my butt off! Yes, I left air conditioning, but it was worth every sweaty penny! My job is very physical, and most people that walk by think it's a piece of cake. After you master it, of course it's easy going. What I loved was when the union official was showing our jobs to seniority people, and they seemed interested until I said, here you move the assist arm. That was all it took, they didn't want to "work" that hard! |
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hoping
Valued Member
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Joined: 09 Oct 2007
Posts: 27
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:39 am Post subject: |
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While I have worked in factories for about 30yrs. It has always been in the Quality Control departments, so the work was mostly mental instead of physical. After two years on the same team, it takes about a week of not working for most of the things that hurt to stop hurting. Yes its physical and takes a toll on the body, and some of the other jobs I have observed look like they pretty much suck. But I have enjoyed working at BAP and liked the people I've worked with for the most part. Sad to say though, if MOST of the jobs I have done or seen were at any other factory in the Rockford area, starting pay would probably be around ten dollars an hour. |
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ResDcc
Super Member
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Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 89
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| Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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I have spent all my time in BAP in the paint dept. Worked 90% of that time on the polish or sand deck. The work is not real physical. Yeah, you get repeative motion soreness. Takes a while to build hand strenght up from holding a polisher all the time, You sholders take a beating from wiping off the cars non stop. But over all, physicaly it not hard.
In these areas though, the hard part is all mental. Looking for defects. Is that a defect, is it not. Labling a defect only ot have managment say its not. Then the next day getting "yelled" at for not labling that as a defect. What was a defect yesterday, is not today, but will be tommorow.
All in all, the jobs have not been that bad. I am sore some nights, mainly my legs and feet. But any job you work that you stand up all night will make them sore. The heat durign the summer, the cold/smell of natural gas/to boiling during the winter, all add alittle character to the jobs.
I have worked MUCH harder in the construction field and was paid FAR less than what I make here. But I think in a few of the jobs I have work, I have a much greater responcibility. And one thing people seem to forget, is when the line is moving, and moving well. Its a non stop, fast paced work. Unlike other job where you get a breather here and there. When the line runs, you work. Stop the line, and well....we know what happens then. |
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just another ete
Valued Member
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Joined: 11 Oct 2007
Posts: 45
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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I have had factory jobs before, to me the key issue is the pay here. I have worked harder jobs for half the money, but at the same time my job at Chrysler has made me sore at times also. I came into this job 2 yrs ago and after first few weeks i thought overpaid and underworked.........well 2 yrs later i have a totally different outlook on that! I believe the jobs we all do can be very rough on body, and i also believe the mental stress alone for never knowing from 1 day to next if you have a job is enough reason for the good pay. I want to say to all of you I will never in my life think of an auto worker as lazy or overpaid......my time here is almost at an end, and I wish you all luck in keeping your pay and your jobs, I am relieved at the thought of a new job, pay will be much less but so will the stress. I have made alot of good friends here at BAP and all of you were so very nice when i started. If nothing more just the learning experience of what you all go through to keep your jobs and having the chance to meet you and work with you was well worth my time. |
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Jeep Girl
Super Member
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Joined: 09 Oct 2007
Posts: 100
Location: Who even knows anymore?
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| Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I left a job in 1998 making $16 an hour that I loved to go to Chrysler starting at $13.66 an hour and I knew I was going to hate it.
Don't get me wrong....I've had lots of fun nights working with some great people. But I dare you to find a job in TCF that I haven't done.
In 10 years I've worked TCF in 2 Assembly plants, picked parts in a warehouse, packaged parts in a packaging facility, and worked at a parts facility.
I've: Installed speakers, door modules, a-arms (ohhh those are heavy), headliners (a bit difficult when they are taller than you), wires...wires...wires...from the engine compartment to the liftgate: I've done it, brake lines, airbags, prop rods.....
Five Chrysler facilities in ten years....am I complaining? Maybe for a few moments....I'll talk to whoever will listen sometimes.
I'll give it up for those 40+ I see on the line working everyday (even complaining sometimes). I can't see myself doing this in 6 more years. (ugh, I'll be 40). I suppose I'll be there though. Hoping that my current karma of helping all those other old folk now will kick in when I need it! |
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