Average Seniority at AAI

[AnotherAutoWorker]

It appears that I'm starting to get under your skin AAW, this was not my intention. Sometimes I forget to un – harsh my opinions and I type them out anyway. For this I apologize, I guess when you start asking me from where I'm drawling my conclusion as to why I would think your trying to detour someone from selecting AAI as their transfer, go back and read some of your posts. I don't know you, so I have to base my opinion from your posts, so lets reflect on just a few.

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People at AAI stereotype all the people from part plants as lazy and whiney simply because they are not accustom to assembly-line type of work and often times voice their distress. It doesn't help your cause. They also stereotype people from other Ford assembly plants as being POS and drug addicts. Get used to snitching, tattling and high school mentality. Get used to a split membership us-against-them atmosphere where you are hated from the mere reason that you are not an original Mazda employee. There is a very clear division inside those walls. You cant win at AAI many times. I can assure you: It won't be easy.

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I would take a longer drive over AAI bullshit in a heart beat. You say the other plant is an engine plant? OH MY GOD, Woman, go to the ENGINE PLANT!

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Do I feel sorry for myself? Hmmm. I am sure as hell sorry I CHOSE to transfer to AAI that's for damn sure.

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I have no reason to doubt you regarding the acceptance of the Mazda workers at traditional Ford plants, simply because back then and perhaps decades before you were ever hired we as a whole were *brainwashed* -if you will- to believe that the Japanese were our competitors... the Japanese were the "enemy" so to speak... so that doesn't surprise me.

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MilanChick has every reason to be concerned. She has everything to lose and everything to gain. I could only WISH that someone had sat down with us before we came to AAI just to let us know that everything we know or have ever known about working at a Ford facility is going to be shattered. It will take YEARS to forget everything you know and "just do it like we tell you." It takes years to get up to speed with the way things are tolorated and executed at this plant.

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So, I guess your are correct in some ways, I did kind of take my own opinion as to what you where trying to state or say or whatever. Again I will say that it just appeared that you where trying to slam AAI and keep good Brothers and Sisters away. I have no idea from where I would draw to this conclusion (thats sarcasm in fun way). Good luck to you Brother, I hope you get to where you want to be. Oh, I was not slamming that other post just for the fact that it was just stupid (walking on glass, LOL). You seamed more to the task of rebuttal and thats the type I like to go back and forth with. I'm sorry if you felt that I was singling you out Brother, I'll leave you alone.

 

Again, if your coming from a parts plant or a transmission plant or a stamping plant, your not going to like any assembly plant. Your going to run into people that don't like you if you come with more Seniority, this is a fact at all plants of choice. Its a sad fact but still a true one.

You want me to agree with some of the things you have posted AAW, I do agree that the Cougar was a POS but it did bring in profit sharing. I will also say that the Escort was a POS but how much money did it make, how many did it employee, and for how long? I also agree with you that you have your right to your opionion as well.

 

Dr X, I am not the guy that takes pictures or prints up the Guide. His name is Norm and yes he's been doing that job for quite some time.

 

The Unionist

 

 

You're not getting under my skin per say... I'm just getting bored and frankly you are beginning to sound like a broken record to me.

 

Lets go over everything you have posted in red that I have said. TO ME: it's someone that has an opinion of a workplace that they have not had a pleasurable experienced. It is within my opinion to state WHY I do not care to work there.... with or without a hidden secret agenda.

 

Along comes someone with -- mind you FOURTEEN years seniority -- and you just go on and on and obsess with how I am overly concerned with her seniority.

 

And so I mention many times, Unionist that No, it's not seniority for I will be leaving soon. You totally chose to ignore that because it would give you nothing to point your finger at... And your very next post is revisiting your therory how I am detouring people with high seniority. CONVENIENTLY forgetting a HUGE post where I have highly recommending ANYONE with MORE SENIORITY THAN YOU to come on down and enjoy the love fest that is AAI-- because the last time I checked the seniority list, there is only around 100 people with more seniority than all the Mazda people.

 

I SAY: Lets increase that number ten fold!

 

One of them MIGHT be me. So if a 1000 more people with MORE seniority than YOU come in, I bet only a FEW of them will effect me--------UNTIL I RTBU which is only a few short short months away -praise GOD! So I am curious to see how you twist that sentence to mean that I'm scared of someone with 14 years.

 

So post on, Unionist, tell everyone ONCE again the same paragraph you keep repeating over and over about all the AAI policies and when where and how the trim department runs. Don't forget to add how you are feeding your family and hanging your hat. I have said a half dozen times how I agree with MUCH of what you say but it's like beating my head up against the wall with you because you pick out the FEW words that you disagree with, IGNORE any points that you cannot dispute and then twist the rest to better suit your arguement. And then refuse to answer any question that I may have asked. Well, Unionist, don't bother, I no longer care. It honestly makes absolutely no difference to me.

 

Under my skin? Hardly. I've grown QUITE accustom to the Mazda on-going never-ending babbling bullshit and if you've done nothing else you have only driven home my point on how annoying and self serving SOME of the Mazda people can behave. Once again I will point out that it is the reason that I chose to remain unknown. I chose to not battle for my opinion with the target on my back. And here I sit babbling on to the exact same bullshit that I was babbling on about a few days ago. This is becoming redundant and repeatitive and beginning to bore me out of my skull. I only answered one girls question and have spent a better part of a glorious shutdown going over and over and over and over the same thing and reading how concerned Mazda workers are with feeding families -- yet no one will tell me why Milan Chick cannot feed her family from a different plant. Japanese didn't tell you folks how to answer that one, huh? Like you I can go back several posts on a few different threads, my dear, and include many many people that would rather walk the broken glass. They have families to feed - just like you - but one guy said he would rather be laid off in powertrain then work at AAI. WELL, I KNOW how he feels. AND HE KNOWS HOW I FEEL-- just without so many words.

 

I would like to point out that not EVERYTHING you have said is bullshit.... not everything you have said is annoying and I do not by any stretch of the imagination disagree with MUCH of what you have said... but I am 100% certain typing that sentence was a complete waste of my time....

 

The only agenda I have is if I can save ONE SOUL from the absolutle re-tard-dation of AAI then I feel like I've done my job! And hopefully I have accomplished that ten-fold. So go pick out a few words that you don't care for and somehow tie it to something you would like to repeat for the tenth time and I will sit here and read it --- again.

 

Let me ask you something, Unionist. If you bought a car from a dealership that did just about everything short of spitting in your face and you had a very unpleasurable experience would you then RECOMMEND for your friends to go buy a car there? Would you go to that dealership to buy your next car? HOW about if a total stranger named MilanChick asked if she should buy a car from this same dealership and you were to tell her --

 

"Oh no, they are terrible, they treated me like shit and I completely felt betrayed and unwelcome there."

 

But now AnotherAutoWorker steps in front of you and says to her:

 

"HEY I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THAT SAME DEALERSHIP AND DONT BELIEVE A WORD THE UNIONIST SAYS! She is a hateful liar and she is against all auto dealerships! The only reason Unionist is telling you all these lies is because she (or he) wants you to buy a TOYOTA! "

 

I will hold my breath waiting for a reasonable reply to that and I am expecting a full on slaughter by all Mazda original AAI! KNock yourselves out but don't forget to add about how concerned you are with feeding the fam....

 

THANK YOU AGAIN for your kind words and well wishes. Right back at cha!

Edited March 31, 2008 by AnotherAutoWorker

[Wanderinglost]

Sooner than you think too.

 

Make way, Seniority coming to a plant near YOU!

 

Just scares and pisses the shit out of you doesn't it?

 

Yes yes yes, we all heard you. What are you some kind of mushroom, just pops up in odd places for no apparent reason?

[Critic]

Yes yes yes, we all heard you. What are you some kind of mushroom, just pops up in odd places for no apparent reason?

Just lookin for a little trim and an autograph

[The Unionist]

Any of you on here thinking of AAI as one of your picks for transferring, its not a bad plant. This is only if your from another assembly plant. If your from a parts plant or of that nature your not going to like it. The work is comparable to any assembly plant, as a matter of fact two of my friends where asked to return to Wayne and they both said no thanks. Isn't that interesting, with it so bad here. I have another friend that is returning and its only because of the drive. Again interesting. I have a brother that works at Michigan Truck and he cant wait to get a chance to come here to AAI. He has a lot of friends that (all of whom are in trim right now) did and that they like way better then the truck plant. Wow, once again its bad at AAI (this is sarcasm AAW). I would hate for you to misunderstand.

 

Just so you know how this RTBU works, when you come anyone that chose to RTBU gets to leave, thats why I don't believe this guy AnotherAutoWorker for one minute, just for the fact that the sooner someone comes he leaves. He rambles on and on about how bad it is here at AAI yet bitch's if someone else rambles differently. Your a joke friend, and thats my opinion of you. You call people retarded, and from that I will assume your either very young or just stupid. Again proving my theory that your not really leaving.

 

You tell me to pay attention, what about you, I said that anyone from a parts plant, transmission plant, stamping plant or of that type, will not like it here. Can you read that and understand it at one time. This means that I'm agreeing with you, want me to slow it down, I'm -------- agreeing --------- with ---------- you. I also said that if your from a assembly plant you will like it here for the most part. I'm -------- disagreeing ---------- with ------------ you. With me so far or am I moving to fast for you? I have to ask this, only because I don't think your keeping up with what your saying.

 

Here are two of your post answers.

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I have no reason to doubt you regarding the acceptance of the Mazda workers at traditional Ford plants, simply because back then and perhaps decades before you were ever hired we as a whole were *brainwashed* -if you will- to believe that the Japanese were our competitors... the Japanese were the "enemy" so to speak... so that doesn't surprise me.

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Now you say that its ok to not accept our fellow workers when they came to your plant(s) just because they where from Mazda. <--- WHERE did I say that it was "OK"?.

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I would venture to say that I got it from YOU. Or do you not understand the word WE? Does this not include you, if so, shouldn't you have said they? You said that it doesn't surprise you, yet you never said it was wrong. What did you think I would gather from that other then you think its ok?

 

You say that I keep coming on here and posting up about company policy's. Where did you get that, I have however, talked about our Local Contract. You must have never read one, and you thought it was company policy. People asked and I answered. I have no issues with answering anyone's Contractual questions pertaining to Local 3000. Any help that I can offer, I'm glad to do it. Knowledge is power, sort of like the post about our 4 classifications within the trades, its not 4 classifications. Classifications are deamed by pay, we have 4 different SOG's within the same pay classification, M-SOG's, E-SOG's, T-SOG's and L-SOG's. Someone thought it was called or labeled a I-SOG for a Layout Inspector. This is called being helpful not hateful. To reply to your little childish remarks about buying a Toyota, I'm a 3rd generation Ford worker we would never joke about that. I'll also answer your question about another post pertaining to pay. They said when we hired we made around 11 per hour, you said that this was the average and you didn't understand what they where complaining about. Your wrong, in 1987 the average assemblers pay was 13.89, without COLA. Cost Of Living Allowance was 2.4% of pay grade at that time. You do the math. Now talk to me about how your going to reply to that kid, lets see how much of an adult you really are.

 

 

The Unionist

Edited March 31, 2008 by The Unionist

[sram63]

Ok, WELLL YOU GOT ME!!! You are right. I don't know where Trim actually ends because you figured me all out. I must be one fat liar because I do NOT work in Trim department at AAI. But that doesn't mean I can't see for myself that your electric guns all have HOISTS! We didn't have HOISTS for our tools. I can see that your line tilts to the side for easy access. Uh, we bent our asses over.... and over and over and over. I can see that YOUR ENTIRE FLOOR moved with the car while the skillet raises and lowers the car to fit the job.... we walked with the cars and walked and walked. BROTHER ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! You think I can't see for myself that isn't a little more ergonomically suited then where I came from? PaLEEZE!

 

Let me ask you... Have you ever worked at a traditional plan that was perhaps OLDER than you are? Where you might pipck up a gun that was just as old as you are? I highly doubt it.

 

You mention not to be scared off due to it's good money.... Is there a reason for Milan Chick to think that she will be making LESS wages if she chooses a different plant? I'm just having a difficult time following your post clearly.

 

I have absolutley NO reason to discourage someone that has ALREADY told me they have 14 years seniority because I am "afraid" or trying to discourage their transfer due to their seniority. In fact, I am VERY secure with my seniority. Let's just say that if YOU have 87 seniority, then I have you beat - in fact, I feel pretty damn secure with my seniority - so no, brother, wrong again. ANd no where in ANY posting or writing have I accused any one of being lazy so I'm not entirely sure why you even brought that up.

 

I have not said that Milan Chick will be forever stuck in Trim, I simply said to expect to wait a little while to bid out. What would YOUR BEST ESTIMATION that someone with mid 90's seniority will get into say PDI? I would say a long long long time. Well, how about paint? Not so long. That's exactly what I said so you might want to clarify why you think I have told anyone that they will be in Trim forever.

 

I DO regret transferring to AAI for many number of reasons. You couldn't possibly know what it's like UNLESS you've picked up your entire family and moved out of state to walk into a place like this so it's MUCH easier for YOU to say HOME IS WHERE YOU HANG YOUR HAT because You've been hanging your hat at AAI for at least the last 20 something years -- NOW take your 20 something years seniority and move your whole life and your hat a thousand miles from home and let me know how you feel. Talk to me then about how it's all about the great money and hooks for hats.

 

I SINCERELY should have stayed with what I knew best and that would a traditional plant. I had a choice, I chose AAI because I thought the Mustang was secure there -- it's not. AND the more I speak with individuals that have actually worked somewhere other than AAI, ALMOST ALL of them agree with what I am saying... this place COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL Ford assembly plants sucks BIIIIIG time!

 

I agree with you in that most of the people I like the best are from other plants... and a few that I like the least are ALSO from other plants. AAI is not ALL bad, but if given the choice -- which is what the subject is -- I have a right to MY opinion -- I would choose to transfer elsewhere. Now with that said, I at least have another plant to COMPARE to AAI. And you, brother, do not.

 

As far as your comment about how much you like the AAI Original Supervisors better -- well, Milan Chick, are you reading this????

 

And I still don't know how you can say that you had it so much more difficult at AAI in the 80s than the rest of us... you forgot to clear up your $11 an hour mystery How much less did you make than everyone else? Were you hired in to a two-teir 3-year full scale system or what?!? And I have no idea what you are talking about that your wife worked in a few different departments when she was a TPTer. If it was so great, then why did she take the buyout?

 

And while I'm at it, WHY is it that 90% of your BEST friends are from other plants? Shouldn't THAT alone tell you something? Ninty percent? Are the Mazda people not as friendly or do you just enjoy meeting new people? I'm not saying that it's a bad thing -- I'm just asking.

 

I tell you what, since you love AAI so much, please list alll the things you just LOVE about your plant in YOUR posts and express YOUR opinion in YOUR words and type YOUR replies as YOU see it and I will do the same.

 

But since you DO NOT know what it's like to pick up your 20 years seniority and move to a COMPLETELY different facility to be looked down upon, since you DO NOT know what it's like to sell your beloved home, pack up every one of your belingings, move away from your loving family and settle into an ecomomically recessed, repressed and failing state -- then just leave that for those of us that DO KNOW...

 

Do I feel sorry for myself? Hmmm. I am sure as hell sorry I CHOSE to transfer to AAI that's for damn sure.

 

Bet you can't wait to go back to Missouri!! You pretend to know what is going on at AAI and pretend to know about me. The 90% of my friends being transplants, if you would have used your brain would have known that was from the fact that I am on nights, dork!!! And I judge people by who THEY are, not where they come from nor their race, religion or their sexual preferences. I however do not like to work my A$$ off and watch whiny people try to get out of the work they should be doing and getting great money for, with the education they usually came in with. I hate to see relatives of older prominent workers that weasled their way in without actually having to do anything and then think that life is so easy in the auto industry. I am proud to be an auto worker, although I have told my children to make sooooo much more of their lives! I'm happy you have more seniority than I do. If you hate it so much, then why didn't you take the retirement buy-out and shut up. I am sorry....but I think you are the kind that will make the lives of the new incomming employees miserable. I'm sorry the work and the environment isn't the same as the plant you came from but...it is what it is. Life is not easy. As far as the line is concerned....the skillet conveyer, and all the line gadgets you spoke about came only at the time of the Mustang! And since you were never at AAI before that, don't pretend to know what life at Mazda, then AAI Services was like! Speak only of what you know....not of what you heard. Second hand news is like the old "pass the word" game....the story changes as it goes around.

 

You discourage others from comming because of your own bitterness. It takes more than one opinion to create a forum. Such the word FORUM. And you talk tongue in cheek....so much you have said you have litterally retracted with BS. Take a tour of trim and get better aquainted with the root of our plant.

 

You asked why my spouse took the buy-out?? Not that it is any of your business, but after being tossed around for so long and so many different plants when Willow Run re-tooled and spent tons of money on so much innovation, President Bush saw to it that they moved the operation to Arlington, Texas for his own political platform. It was a common sense move, just like the less than 10 yr. seniority people have to face now during our current buy-outs. I will not bore the rest of the readers with a long winded, repetative post and leave it as such.

 

PLEASE: ALL TRANSFERS KEEP AN OPEN MIND...DON'T BE SWAYED BY ME OR ANY OTHERS!!!

[whereswaldo]

The Unionist

Christ, you know what they say about people who talk and type as much as this ? Anyway, write a book already.

[MSP Worker]

Quick question on AAI. Heard a few Machine repair bids are up or will be going up for AAI. How is there for the trades people? How much seniority does it take to get off afternoons? I am torn between Dearborn truck and AAI. Just looking for some honest insight on AAI.

[fordktpworker]

Quick question on AAI. Heard a few Machine repair bids are up or will be going up for AAI. How is there for the trades people? How much seniority does it take to get off afternoons? I am torn between Dearborn truck and AAI. Just looking for some honest insight on AAI.

 

I think the cut off for days is 98 seniority and thats out of 3 shifts, not sure about the trades.

Edited March 31, 2008 by DTP

[Sailinshoes]

Quick question on AAI. Heard a few Machine repair bids are up or will be going up for AAI. How is there for the trades people? How much seniority does it take to get off afternoons? I am torn between Dearborn truck and AAI. Just looking for some honest insight on AAI.

 

really 2 afternoon shifts. one 2:30pm start, one 6:54pm start depending on department... 20 years will give you a pretty good chance at days, depending on department. There are some on days with less, but it's no sure thing. Only two bids allowed every six monthes and they move by seniority, so if you're not fortunate with your first annex assignment, it could take a while to get to days. I'm not a M-SOG, so maybe someone else can give you more specifics. You don't hear the grumbling from trades that have come to AAI from other plants that you hear from certain elements of the production workforce. Most all are pleased they came.

[madime39]

I guess I really don't understand - everyone is up in arms about the posting for 77 jobs at AAI, but doesn't everyone already know that Wixom sent half their GEN pool there (the other half to Dearborn) and orientation started today? Doesn't that mean there are NO openings at AAI? Could someone please explain? Thanks

[The Unionist]

I guess I really don't understand - everyone is up in arms about the posting for 77 jobs at AAI, but doesn't everyone already know that Wixom sent half their GEN pool there (the other half to Dearborn) and orientation started today? Doesn't that mean there are NO openings at AAI? Could someone please explain? Thanks

I agree with you madime39. No reason to get all up in arms if your in the plant about to receive some people. People should think about how it must feel for anyone that has to move and start all over. Some will be afraid of the impact in Seniority, and it upsets them. Some will not like you if you have more of it then them, its not right, but its the truth. This is why I think that some are on here trying to sway members away from AAI. They will tell you how horrible it is and the work sucks or the people suck, but only the AAI people suck. I'm from AAI and your a welcomed addition to our Local. I hope the move isn't to dramatic for you and your Family. If your from Wixom, then you know what assembly is like and I think you'll be fine. Trim and Final has the worst jobs, but according to members from other assembly plants, when compared to their old jobs its not bad at all. I have not been in another assembly plant, so I really cant offer a comparison myself. I have to rely on the good Brothers and Sisters that moved here and told me this and I have no reason to think that they would lie. If your from a parts plant, stamping plant or of that nature, your not going to be happy with any assembly plant.

 

Yes we are getting 70 + members this week and they are mostly from Wixom some from MSP, and also Vulcan. I heard that Wayne put out a RTBU call for members last week. I'm sure some will return and this will cause openings and bids again. So, when you say no openings, or the openings have been filled by Wixom, your correct for the most part, and for the time being. This will all change as more RTBU calls go out and members opt for them.

 

Be Good

 

The Unionist

[AnotherAutoWorker]

Any of you on here thinking of AAI as one of your picks for transferring, its not a bad plant. This is only if your from another assembly plant. If your from a parts plant or of that nature your not going to like it. The work is comparable to any assembly plant, as a matter of fact two of my friends where asked to return to Wayne and they both said no thanks. Isn't that interesting, with it so bad here. I have another friend that is returning and its only because of the drive. Again interesting. I have a brother that works at Michigan Truck and he cant wait to get a chance to come here to AAI. He has a lot of friends that (all of whom are in trim right now) did and that they like way better then the truck plant. Wow, once again its bad at AAI (this is sarcasm AAW). I would hate for you to misunderstand.

 

Just so you know how this RTBU works, when you come anyone that chose to RTBU gets to leave, thats why I don't believe this guy AnotherAutoWorker for one minute, just for the fact that the sooner someone comes he leaves. He rambles on and on about how bad it is here at AAI yet bitch's if someone else rambles differently. Your a joke friend, and thats my opinion of you. You call people retarded, and from that I will assume your either very young or just stupid. Again proving my theory that your not really leaving.

 

You tell me to pay attention, what about you, I said that anyone from a parts plant, transmission plant, stamping plant or of that type, will not like it here. Can you read that and understand it at one time. This means that I'm agreeing with you, want me to slow it down, I'm -------- agreeing --------- with ---------- you. I also said that if your from a assembly plant you will like it here for the most part. I'm -------- disagreeing ---------- with ------------ you. With me so far or am I moving to fast for you? I have to ask this, only because I don't think your keeping up with what your saying.

 

Here are two of your post answers.

________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________

I have no reason to doubt you regarding the acceptance of the Mazda workers at traditional Ford plants, simply because back then and perhaps decades before you were ever hired we as a whole were *brainwashed* -if you will- to believe that the Japanese were our competitors... the Japanese were the "enemy" so to speak... so that doesn't surprise me.

________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________

Now you say that its ok to not accept our fellow workers when they came to your plant(s) just because they where from Mazda. <--- WHERE did I say that it was "OK"?.

________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________

 

I would venture to say that I got it from YOU. Or do you not understand the word WE? Does this not include you, if so, shouldn't you have said they? You said that it doesn't surprise you, yet you never said it was wrong. What did you think I would gather from that other then you think its ok?

 

You say that I keep coming on here and posting up about company policy's. Where did you get that, I have however, talked about our Local Contract. You must have never read one, and you thought it was company policy. People asked and I answered. I have no issues with answering anyone's Contractual questions pertaining to Local 3000. Any help that I can offer, I'm glad to do it. Knowledge is power, sort of like the post about our 4 classifications within the trades, its not 4 classifications. Classifications are deamed by pay, we have 4 different SOG's within the same pay classification, M-SOG's, E-SOG's, T-SOG's and L-SOG's. Someone thought it was called or labeled a I-SOG for a Layout Inspector. This is called being helpful not hateful. To reply to your little childish remarks about buying a Toyota, I'm a 3rd generation Ford worker we would never joke about that. I'll also answer your question about another post pertaining to pay. They said when we hired we made around 11 per hour, you said that this was the average and you didn't understand what they where complaining about. Your wrong, in 1987 the average assemblers pay was 13.89, without COLA. Cost Of Living Allowance was 2.4% of pay grade at that time. You do the math. Now talk to me about how your going to reply to that kid, lets see how much of an adult you really are.

 

 

The Unionist

 

 

:boring:

Edited March 31, 2008 by AnotherAutoWorker

[AnotherAutoWorker]

Bet you can't wait to go back to Missouri!! You pretend to know what is going on at AAI and pretend to know about me. The 90% of my friends being transplants, if you would have used your brain would have known that was from the fact that I am on nights, dork!!! And I judge people by who THEY are, not where they come from nor their race, religion or their sexual preferences. I however do not like to work my A$$ off and watch whiny people try to get out of the work they should be doing and getting great money for, with the education they usually came in with. I hate to see relatives of older prominent workers that weasled their way in without actually having to do anything and then think that life is so easy in the auto industry. I am proud to be an auto worker, although I have told my children to make sooooo much more of their lives! I'm happy you have more seniority than I do. If you hate it so much, then why didn't you take the retirement buy-out and shut up. I am sorry....but I think you are the kind that will make the lives of the new incomming employees miserable. I'm sorry the work and the environment isn't the same as the plant you came from but...it is what it is. Life is not easy. As far as the line is concerned....the skillet conveyer, and all the line gadgets you spoke about came only at the time of the Mustang! And since you were never at AAI before that, don't pretend to know what life at Mazda, then AAI Services was like! Speak only of what you know....not of what you heard. Second hand news is like the old "pass the word" game....the story changes as it goes around.

 

You discourage others from comming because of your own bitterness. It takes more than one opinion to create a forum. Such the word FORUM. And you talk tongue in cheek....so much you have said you have litterally retracted with BS. Take a tour of trim and get better aquainted with the root of our plant.

 

You asked why my spouse took the buy-out?? Not that it is any of your business, but after being tossed around for so long and so many different plants when Willow Run re-tooled and spent tons of money on so much innovation, President Bush saw to it that they moved the operation to Arlington, Texas for his own political platform. It was a common sense move, just like the less than 10 yr. seniority people have to face now during our current buy-outs. I will not bore the rest of the readers with a long winded, repetative post and leave it as such.

 

PLEASE: ALL TRANSFERS KEEP AN OPEN MIND...DON'T BE SWAYED BY ME OR ANY OTHERS!!!

 

 

:reading:

Edited March 31, 2008 by AnotherAutoWorker

[sram63]

Did you get fired during common training???? And Deboot made Mary give you your job back?

[The Unionist]

Did you get fired during common training???? And Deboot made Mary give you your job back?

 

Ok, lets see if we can make sense of this questioning.

 

Q. Did you get fired during common training?

A. I guess your asking everyone, but for me, no.

 

Q. Did Deboodt make Mary give you your job back?

A. Again with the vague “you” I have no idea what your talking about, who your asking, and its very strange with the fact Deboodt took office after Mary.

 

So please explain what your trying to elude to with your very vague questioning.

 

The Unionist

[sram63]

Did you get fired during common training???? And Deboot made Mary give you your job back?

Unionist, I wasnt talking about you. I do know however there was a certain individual that came from St Louis that turned radical during common training and QUIT. They got their job back after walking out. Just curious if this is the same person who knows lots about the dunnage/ clean up jobs. They didn't like the Japanese puppets as they called them. Husband and wife unit with 45 grand apiece to come here. Friends of Deboot.

[The Unionist]

Unionist, I wasnt talking about you. I do know however there was a certain individual that came from St Louis that turned radical during common training and QUIT. They got their job back after walking out. Just curious if this is the same person who knows lots about the dunnage/ clean up jobs. They didn't like the Japanese puppets as they called them. Husband and wife unit with 45 grand apiece to come here. Friends of Deboot.

 

Scram63 thanks for clarifying that issue up. I have no idea who this person is that your speaking of, but if what you say is true then that would be a good thing. Of coarse I'm talking about Deboodt getting Mary to get this guy his job back. Chalk one up for the Union.

 

As for the Japanese puppets, the Team Concept was taught to them directly from an American. This idea was banished here in the States so he took his idea to the Japanese. They bought into it and now it is what it is. Some will agree with the concept and some wont. So there you have it, in reality any plant with the “Team Concept” is actually American puppets.

 

Be Good

The Unionist

[AnotherAutoWorker]

 

Scram63 thanks for clarifying that issue up. I have no idea who this person is that your speaking of, but if what you say is true then that would be a good thing. Of coarse I'm talking about Deboodt getting Mary to get this guy his job back. Chalk one up for the Union.

 

As for the Japanese puppets, the Team Concept was taught to them directly from an American. This idea was banished here in the States so he took his idea to the Japanese. They bought into it and now it is what it is. Some will agree with the concept and some wont. So there you have it, in reality any plant with the “Team Concept” is actually American puppets.

 

Be Good

The Unionist

Unionist using what you know, can you explain how on earth DeBoodt could ask/make/demand Mary to do anything since he wasn't Chair UNTIL after she left office? You had a very good point with your first post regarding this. It would seem impossible.

 

And also, Unionist, can you figure out how anyone can be fired for having a thought or an idea at AAI? This is extremely confusing to me.... (so what's new, huh?) also very interesting. ANd a little scarey - I mean, hell if we can be fired for having a THOUGHT, then I think I'm due for a handfull of pink slips, wouldn't ya agree?

 

:D

 

I have not heard anything about this -- have you?

 

And UNIONIST, I hate to be the one to point this out to you -- WHY would ANYONE want to work at AAI but if it is even a POSSIBLITY for AAI management FIRE someone for having a thought or idea even if it is considered "radical"?

:tease:

Edited April 4, 2008 by AnotherAutoWorker

[The Unionist]

I would venture to say that Brother Deboodt called the current Chairperson (at the time, Mary) and spoke in favor of this person that supposedly quit during common training. I say “Supposedly” because I was not at the common training and I say “Venture” because I was not privileged to the conversation. The only people that really know, are the ones that handled the issue and the ones that where their when it happened.

For example: people see a fellow brother quit, brother gets his job back. Someone had to do the work of representation.

 

AnotherAutoWorker, I don't understand where your coming from, your questioning the terms of being fired for a thought. Scram63 said that this person quit during common training. Where did you get that someone was fired for a thought? Please explain.

 

Be Good

The Unionist

[AnotherAutoWorker]

I would venture to say that Brother Deboodt called the current Chairperson (at the time, Mary) and spoke in favor of this person that supposedly quit during common training. I say “Supposedly” because I was not at the common training and I say “Venture” because I was not privileged to the conversation. The only people that really know, are the ones that handled the issue and the ones that where their when it happened.

For example: people see a fellow brother quit, brother gets his job back. Someone had to do the work of representation.

 

AnotherAutoWorker, I don't understand where your coming from, your questioning the terms of being fired for a thought. Scram63 said that this person quit during common training. Where did you get that someone was fired for a thought? Please explain.

 

Be Good

The Unionist

 

I would have to say that makes sense. Perhaps I have misunderstood what sram63 was trying to say but I thought he was implying that someone was at training and had either "radical ideas" or Mazda "puppet" thoughts and was fired... but I'm not entirely sure. It really doesn't matter.

 

I am going to point out something because that is what I do best.

 

sram63 said and I quote here:

"Husband and wife unit with 45 grand apiece to come here. "

 

This is EXACTLY the kind of division and blantant resentment I have been referring to in all these posts. It would appear that many of the Mazda people were irate, upset, disgruntled, pissed off or jealous that some the Ford people were given a moving bonus. And this is brought up in all discussions as if it were supposed to be some sort of point. "Oh that guy received the moving bonus? Yeah, he's an asshole." It is this type of resentment and outward disgust that I see each and every single day by the divided us-against-them mentality that is AAI. How is it that a membership can be pissed off at me simply because my company may or may not have offered me money to work here. But there it is. In black and white, typed by our friendly Mazda brother. To say it doesn't exist at your AAI will only show how uninformed you may be regarding this specific subject. But of course you wouldn't be the one labeled a POS simply because you showed up without membership's approval. Or were were offered compensation to do it.

 

And then I assume if your spouse works for Ford, they are supposed to ----> what? decline the offer??? Are youkidding me? Is that what a Mazda member would do? If that is the case then I would have to agree with the brother that thinks there are some "puppets" working at AAI.

 

MAYBE this brother was fired for having the RADICAL thought of accepting the moving bonus!?!?!

 

I would like to point out the SOME OF US DID NOT RECEIVE THE $45,000 moving bonus. I was in a group of people that transferred to AAI from St. Louis that were not given any bonus...

 

But I can atest that this subject is very often times thrown in my face as if it were something to be ashamed of... VERY often. And it is a sore subject with a lot of the Mazda folks. It's nearing 4 years and it's still an issue of detest and resentment, as shown by msar63 simply because he brought it up out of the clear blue sky. As if YOU wouldn't accept money to uproot your entire family, walk away from your home of many many many years and move a thousand miles away to be treated like a second class human being simply because ... what? I dunnoo... I've worked for Ford my entire career and others haven't? How is this NOT an outrageous and crystal clear example of a disgruntled membership of resentment and division?

 

That moving bonus would have been an ENORMOUS help to those of us that are raising our grandchildren because our own children are unable ---- Oh, and that MAY be the reason some of us HIGH seniority people dont "take the buyout, retire and shut up".... when was the last time you raised a 2-year old in your 50s? Then come to work with a building full of crybabies??? "you got money and I didn't.... whaaa! I hate you!!!!"

 

And then he goes on to say, and I quote:

"Friends of Deboot."

 

Three simple words. Typed to give you all the information that you need to know who he talking about. Another Label forever on the backs of some transferees.

 

And again, it said as if this were a bad thing. I have probably laid eyes on the man three times since we moved up here... If you want to call that friends with the man then I am guilty. But, I ask, why was that important enough to add on a posting? It was implied that THAT simple three word sentence should be enough information to tell YOU everything you need to know... "OOOooooh, that guy is a FRIEND of DeBoodt.... Now I know every thing! yeah, he's definitely an asshole." Are we supposed to NOT be friends with a man that we have worked with for 25 years? And why would THAT be important enough information to include within this posting? Surely NOT BECAUSE your Mazda friend is trying to point out to you a label some have on one of us as NOT being a MAZDA worker? Someone is friends with someone else that isn't Mazda well then we need to paint a big fat label on their back and point our fingers at him... Are we supposed to spit on all the friends of DeBoodt? Is being friends with DeBoodt supposed to be a shameful and unMazda thing to do? I would ask you why would being friends with anyone was even brought up to begin with? And why would that be important enough to be brought up within this thread?

 

And, more importantly, Unionist, how this isn't very clear a division between Mazda and Ford/transferee.... but honestly at this point I don't care. No need to answer any of these.

 

Uh, sram63 -- THANK YOU for making my point for me. In your one very simple and somewhat confusing post you have clarified the extreme membership resentment and division I was referring to and the us-vs-them mentality that I was attempting to explain to MilanChick. You made my point better than I ever could have. Crystal Clear! My job is done!

 

Unionist, you may have had nothing but wonderful lollipop and bubblegum encounters with everyone you meet at AAI, that's great. But you did not have to transfer there. Some (or most) of us, no matter WHICH plant we came from WERE NOT greeted with open arms. We were greet with sram63 mentality since our first day on the job. We were offered bonuses, we were not invited, some had more seniority than all of original members, none of us started with Mazda or Japanese style training, apparently some had extreme or radical thoughts and opinions and evidently we are friends with others -- all enough reason to resent our showing up and thereby introduce a very divided membership. Us against them mentality. Them against us rationality. It is thrown in my face each and every day. It is brought up in every conversation. It is a label used as my identy. If I don't agree with a thought of yours then a finger is pointed at me and I am called a radical. If I disagree with the way you feel about ANY subject then a finger is pointed at me and I am indentified as a friend of DeBoodt as if it were something to be ashamed of. If I have my own individual thought that doesn't match up with your own then a finger is pointed at me and I am told to just take the retirement and shut up. Yeah, these are all freindly words of a people that welcomed us with open arms at AAI.

 

I came to this forum to seek and answer in a different thread and it has been answered. Frankly, kids, this is beginning to feel like I'm beating a dead horse and quite honestly I've grown bored of all of this. You two can go back and forth to tell each other how wonderful and perfect it was to work for Mazda and how the plant was filled with rainbows and smiley faces. Make sure to continue to slam all the brothers who are offered buyouts and who were offered moving allowance to join your happy team. Or anyone that has a different thought or opinion then you might have. AND THEN try to convince everyone that reads how friendly you all are and how UNdivided it is in there. Whatever, I'm finished posting within this particular thread.

 

Either way, tomorrow we all go back to the grind. And it's back to the same old bullshit that is AAI.

 

Have a good week at work. Don't forget to smile at me when I walk in the doors!

 

 

THE END.

Edited April 6, 2008 by AnotherAutoWorker

[The Unionist]

AnotherAutoWorker, where did you read in any of my posts that I feel its a rainbow and AAI. Its an Auto Assembly plant, there are no rainbow's. Also where did you see in any of my posts about the mention of you being a Friend of Deboodt's. I did however try to make so sense out of a post from Scram63 as to why or how Deboodt could influence Mary to get a Brothers job back. I see nothing wrong with it, and I did post up that it was one for the Union.

 

As far as people hating AAI, they are going to hate any Assembly plant that they transfer to if they came from a Parts Plant, Transmission Plant or a Stamping Plant and its that simple. So I do agree with you, your beating a dead horse. I have never once said that all the people I talk to are happy and smiling. I said that I have ran into the exact situations you mentioned in some of your posts. The “ Us and Them” thing is there still to this day, and its wrong. I have said this countless times on every tread post of that type. I have also said that I have ran into people from other plants that are fine with being at AAI and are not going back. Are you saying that this is not the truth? Are you saying that only the situations you've described are factual for all?

 

I will say this again for all that care and are reading this. We are in a bad situation, people are upset that higher Seniority Brothers and Sisters are transferring into their plants. People are mad and upset that there are no parts plants to transfer to and have to chose assembly plants. People are upset, confused and bewildered when confronted with up rooting their Family's and faced with moving away.

WE ARE ALL IN A BAD SITUATION. The key word here AnotherAutoWorker, is “We”.

 

Its wrong to label you, me or anyone without ever meeting them. Its wrong not to accept anyone because they have more Seniority or got some money to move. Both are contractual and its that simple. Its wrong to label an entire group because you run into a few bad people. Trust me, I'm not talking about upset people, because being angry or upset doesn't make you bad person, this is of coarse just my opinion.

 

Right now, from what I'm told, we have some RTBU for our good Brothers and Sisters that came from Wayne Assembly. Its going to be very interesting to see how many take the option. I hope they chose to stay, but I'm not going to be upset with them if they go, and I'm not going to say bad things about them or look at them in a different way. This is because they are part of AAI, Local 3000 and I look at it as if we are losing some of “ us”.

 

AnotheAutoWorker, its clear to me that you hate this plant and the people that are from here. Thats very sad. But what I need you to understand is, your from AAI now and your one of us. If you leave here and go elsewhere, you cant go back to St. Louis, it will be said that your from AAI. I hope you find a location that different, suits you and your happy with your choice. I wish you and your Family good luck.

 

Be Good

The Unionist