and I’m going to tell you again, I hate unions. I had a delivery this morning to a aluminum company off I-95 in Richmond, VA. Right after you pull in the front gate signs instruct you to stop at the guard shack for further instructions. That’s what I did. But the guard shack is abandoned. No windows. The rain pouring in. The maps and instructions tacked on the walls are dated 2002 – six years ago. There is an old hat on the counter next to a old beige phone with extensions etched on the face. Screw this. I get back in the truck and continue driving. I see the yard jockey and flag him down. This will be my last contact with anyone with a personality who is willing to provide any direction as to where to go and what to do. He must be new. I’m actually dropping off material, then picking up more going to Chicago. Permit to digress a second. Years ago, I was in Singapore. It was an air freight convention. I had organized a panel of “experts” to speak on a panel. I don’t remember what the subject was. One of the speakers was from Communist China. He and his “sidekick” watchdog weird. No shaking hands. No coffee. No food. Strictly hands-off. I was secondary to them. It wasn't arrogance, it was ignorance. That’s exactly how I felt at this aluminum plant. The guy “supervising” the loading had his machinists union blue jacket on. Without it, he doesn’t have any identity. He had no personality. He didn’t want to talk any more than he had to. I’m sure what he had to say is specified in his union contract. If asked to say more, he would run to file a grievance. After what I assume is the last piece loaded, he walked away. The lift driver drove off. I was quite secondary to both of them. They had hardly lifted a finger to do what minimally required of them. It was break time. I secured and tarped the load and got the hell out of there. I might have violated some union regulation by pressing the open button on the dock door. I may have taken some union guys job away. After all there were at least six union guys standing outside smoking, drinking coffee and bullshitting. It might have been one of their job to handle the door. This place says one thing to me – Mexico. I had to walk over the shipping office to get the paperwork. The guy inside was, well, half dead. I said, “gee you don’t look happy.” No comment. He remained expressionless. He handed me the paperwork. He couldn't’t find a pen. I signed with the purple glow pen my wife gave me. I was just waiting for him to say that purple glow is not allowed by the union. But then that would require too much energy on his part. He handed me my copies. I said “thank.” He said nothing. As I closed the door, I think I heard him say faintly “yeah thanks.” But I might have imagined it. As Charles in one episode of MASH said to his family: “get me the hell out of here.” I have come across nothing to change my mind…and I told you before…I hate unions! ** to learn more about this union go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_of_Machinists_and_Aerospace_Workers
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
I told you before...
and I’m going to tell you again, I hate unions. I had a delivery this morning to a aluminum company off I-95 in Richmond, VA. Right after you pull in the front gate signs instruct you to stop at the guard shack for further instructions. That’s what I did. But the guard shack is abandoned. No windows. The rain pouring in. The maps and instructions tacked on the walls are dated 2002 – six years ago. There is an old hat on the counter next to a old beige phone with extensions etched on the face. Screw this. I get back in the truck and continue driving. I see the yard jockey and flag him down. This will be my last contact with anyone with a personality who is willing to provide any direction as to where to go and what to do. He must be new. I’m actually dropping off material, then picking up more going to Chicago. Permit to digress a second. Years ago, I was in Singapore. It was an air freight convention. I had organized a panel of “experts” to speak on a panel. I don’t remember what the subject was. One of the speakers was from Communist China. He and his “sidekick” watchdog weird. No shaking hands. No coffee. No food. Strictly hands-off. I was secondary to them. It wasn't arrogance, it was ignorance. That’s exactly how I felt at this aluminum plant. The guy “supervising” the loading had his machinists union blue jacket on. Without it, he doesn’t have any identity. He had no personality. He didn’t want to talk any more than he had to. I’m sure what he had to say is specified in his union contract. If asked to say more, he would run to file a grievance. After what I assume is the last piece loaded, he walked away. The lift driver drove off. I was quite secondary to both of them. They had hardly lifted a finger to do what minimally required of them. It was break time. I secured and tarped the load and got the hell out of there. I might have violated some union regulation by pressing the open button on the dock door. I may have taken some union guys job away. After all there were at least six union guys standing outside smoking, drinking coffee and bullshitting. It might have been one of their job to handle the door. This place says one thing to me – Mexico. I had to walk over the shipping office to get the paperwork. The guy inside was, well, half dead. I said, “gee you don’t look happy.” No comment. He remained expressionless. He handed me the paperwork. He couldn't’t find a pen. I signed with the purple glow pen my wife gave me. I was just waiting for him to say that purple glow is not allowed by the union. But then that would require too much energy on his part. He handed me my copies. I said “thank.” He said nothing. As I closed the door, I think I heard him say faintly “yeah thanks.” But I might have imagined it. As Charles in one episode of MASH said to his family: “get me the hell out of here.” I have come across nothing to change my mind…and I told you before…I hate unions! ** to learn more about this union go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Association_of_Machinists_and_Aerospace_Workers
