PEN-L message, Re: Auto plant no-shows

In a message dated 9/9/2004 11:39:31 AM Central Standard Time, cbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

>Ford Motor Co. Is cracking down on excessive absenteeism at its plants, no longer waiting for a fifth incidence of truancy to mete out punishment. Is the tougher stance on absenteeism justified?<

http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0409/09/a01-268458.htm

No . . . the tougher stance on absenteeism is not justified. This is stated from the standpoint of what had been the previous stance and the fluctuations in absenteeism over a long period of time.

I have a need to always fight to be honest with the keyboard. As Committeeman in the Machining Division . . . I took a tough stand on absenteeism along with the Skilled Trades Committeeman . . . that caused dissent and tremors throughout Chrysler system. Absenteeism is concentrated amongst roughly 10% of the workforce as a reoccurring process. All three Committeeman issued a leaflet stating that 10% of the workforce consumes 90% of the unions energy and the majority of this is absenteeism.

A section of the local union officials rebelled against us publicly . . . calling us ass kissing company men along with a section of the workforce. The majority agreed with us meaning roughly 85% of the workforce. Absenteeism is concerned amongst workers with less than 5 years seniority . . . generally speaking.

Absenteeism takes another form with workers with more than 10 years seniority and differs still with those with more than 20 years seniority. With higher seniority workers . . . the system operates in their favor and their absenteeism is absorbed as medical leaves or workman compensation causes.

It gets a bit more complicated because legally and technically the contract prohibits writing a grievance against absentee discharges or time off . . . or rather a grievance can only be filed in cases that blatantly are systemic) computer) errors.

In other words I fought against 99.9% of absentee issues hitting the bureaucracy. This takes place by having layers of management waiver time off and changing the coding on the absent days in question. Fuck the system . . . on a fundamental level.

I had a floor supervisor that was asked to change the coding on an absence and he said . . . "but labor relations is going to question me about this."

I said . . . "So the fuck what!"

"I can do this and will not lie for you Melvin."

"Fine. Do not make me fuck you . . . you little punk mutherfucker. Change the code or come up with something else. Would you do that for me?"

Well, . . . he changed the code because in the Machining Division every single piece of machinery has to be serviced continuously and 99% involve cutting tools. "Cutting tools" means that the "Cutter grinder department" has to always have the cutting tools you need on each shift.

If you fuck me . . . I am going to fuck you . . . meaning I get with the guys in "Cutter Grinder" and place all the tools the foremen need at the back of the list.

When he cannot get the cutting tools he needs and the department is partially shut down . . . the area manager ask the foreman . . . "Have you been fucking over Melvin? If not why do you not have cutting tools."

Now the system protects high seniority workers. Before I got married . . . again . . . I lived with a women who had four years seniority and I had like almost twenty-five years seniority. We decided to take the entire month of August off . . . and just lay off and watch movies, go to the park and do what people in love do.

A week after we were off we received telegrams from the company. Her telegram instructed her on what doctors to see to verify her medical leave and the time span involved in which this had to be done.

My telegram basically said . . . "excuse us but we have to check on our folks to make certain that everything is all right and find out if there is something we can do to help. If you are to be off of work longer than 28 days . . . would you please inform your physician to send the appropriate forms. In the mean time let us no something so your check will not be delayed."

Really.

Absenteeism because a method and tool to downsize.

Yes, . . . I took the hard line on absenteeism based on the previous configurations and agreements . . . but this inherently protects the higher seniority workers.

See . . . in the American Union on all jobs . . . the old heads tell the young heads to try and "get some time under your belt." The system reflects his social relations.

The modern onslaught around absenteeism is driven by some other processes dealing with dead labors domination over living labor.

If you are active within the system that deals with these issues use your fucking authority to protect as many people as possible.

Yea . . . auto is hit! Wait to the Chinese produced vehicles enter the market.

Oh baby.

Melvin p.