Emotional dilemma

[Silver R/T]

So I've been working at this place for 4+ years now as a painter in our paint dept. We make machinery and have our plant locally. One of our branches that was in LA got closed down and now we're assembling machines that were used to be made there. These machines get high quality paint job. Steel plates have imperfections so I bondo steel taking out any imperfections, then put few coats of lacquer primer and sand it down smooth. Afterwards it gets sealed and topcoated with alkyd enamel. This is new type of paint we're doing and so far I've been only one who's doing bodywork and this type of paint. We have other 2 painters and they haven't touched it.
Since economy is so bad our company hasn't given us any raises in like 1 1/2. A few guys were laid off last year but now it's picking back up a little and few guys came back as temps. I really feel like I'm being used since I'm only one who's doing bodywork and I know how to do it. I haven't seen anything extra in my paycheck for doing this type of work. I've always came in fridays to work O/T to get this machine done (painted) since other painters passed on the buck. Finally this past week I told my lead that I'd like other two painters helping me out. He just said some joke about it and kinda laughed it off. And then he said that we'll see if we can outsource this job to get powdercoated.
We're gonna build a few of these machines next year and I don't want to get stuck doing all this extra work. I don't make that much to do bodywork.
I feel like I don't want to hurt my lead's feelings since we get along great and he's good guy but then I don't want to be a company's bitch and getting buck passed onto me. I'm good guy and go out of my way to help family/friends and I'm hard worker at work but this just gets old.
What do you guys think I should do? I appreciate company keeping me while they let go of few other guys but extra money would be helpful for doing all the extra work.

[bull]

Well, one thing you have going for you at the moment is you have a job and not everyone can say that. What you might try doing is start looking for a new job at your convenience. Looking for a new or different career while being employed is a good position to be in because there's no desperation factor and you can be much more objective about it. And if/when you find a new job you can use it as negotiating leverage at your current job if you so choose. Obvioiusly you shouldn't threaten to leave unless you've got something lined up because they might just take you up on your offer. Anyway, that's what I would do. You might even discover while looking for a new job that yours is pretty good.

[Silver R/T]

Totally agree Bull. and yes I've tried looking before and jobs are just not there. It's hard to get into body shop, too much competition. I don't mind working hard but I like getting paid more if I go out of my way. My lead always complements me on hard work and even says "I don't know what I would do without you" Honestly, if I was getting a .10c raise each time he said that I'd be retired by now. I already have a few guys that want fender, hood, car etc painted but I just don't have a shop where I could paint and renting one is way too expensive. Most, if not all of the profit would go to pay for shop/bills.

[Todd Wilson]

Totally agree Bull. and yes I've tried looking before and jobs are just not there.

You've answered your question. Keep your mouth shut and do the job.  It sucks but its the way it is.  Your previous message said something about out sourcing and getting it powder coated on a certain machine.  Be careful. They do that a few times on a certain machine they may decide they can do it on all the machines and you are out of a job. Companies are all about making the maximum profit. They will let quality suffer to do this.They may decide they dont need you doing extra work with bondo and stuff painting pretty and just get its power coated.



Todd

[b5blue]

I know little about the type of painting you do but as someone who has been mostly unemployed the last 2 years (construction) try to keep in mind that right now there are 300 guys who will take your job for less than they pay you and gladly be there bitch to boot.  

[Silver R/T]

I know little about the type of painting you do but as someone who has been mostly unemployed the last 2 years (construction) try to keep in mind that right now there are 300 guys who will take your job for less than they pay you and gladly be there bitch to boot.  

Have to disagree on that one. You see guys, plant in LA did it same way and it took them longer cause it's the only machine they were building. Customer won't take machine with less quality cause they've already seen quality of machine previously and if you give them something inferior, that's a no-no. Especially this machine costs a lot, I mean a lot. Not sure I want to type in how much it costs but more than most of your guy's houses do, I'm sure.
They're thinking about outsorcing it to get powdercoated for reason that we already HAVE a lot of our machinery that we build and will build besides this new machine that we've taken on from LA plant. So no, I won't be out of job it just means I won't have to do all this extra work. When we've been busy a couple years ago I was working O/T 10-15hr each week. That's how busy we were. Right now it seems like sales are picking up and we should be swamped with orders for machines that we're building. That leaves absolutely no time for this new machine, especially when you have only myself working on it.

[Silver R/T]

I know little about the type of painting you do but as someone who has been mostly unemployed the last 2 years (construction) try to keep in mind that right now there are 300 guys who will take your job for less than they pay you and gladly be there bitch to boot. 

I don't think it would be wise idea of getting rid of someone who knows what they're doing vs someone who doesn't. I'm the one who knows what they're doing in this case, so....

[Silver R/T]

Totally agree Bull. and yes I've tried looking before and jobs are just not there.

You've answered your question. Keep your mouth shut and do the job.  It sucks but its the way it is.  Your previous message said something about out sourcing and getting it powder coated on a certain machine.  Be careful. They do that a few times on a certain machine they may decide they can do it on all the machines and you are out of a job. Companies are all about making the maximum profit. They will let quality suffer to do this.They may decide they dont need you doing extra work with bondo and stuff painting pretty and just get its power coated.



Todd

They still haven't found anyone who will powdercoat machine, even if they do it still needs to be flawless (metal). It has all the imperfections in it and powder coat doesn't hide any of it. I might have to do bodywork and then they will send it out to get powdercoated, that will save a little bit of time.

[Topher]

Thinking the company won't get rid of you is arrogant. It happens all too often now adays in the name of profit as previously stated. I work in a fleet shop for a major soda company and I haven't had a raise in 6 years. In that time, the fuel for me to drive to work has doubled, my groceries have doubled, and I can't work ANY overtime to help compensate. Why have I stayed? It's a steady paycheck verses being in a shop or dealership being paid on commission. I can do other jobs on the side to suppliment the income, and with a kid in college, and another in high school fixing to get his driver's license, I'm glad.

My advice: Smile and do your work as hard as ever, if not harder, and be thankful for solid, steady employment.

[b5blue]

I mean no dig to you, rarely do I see wisdom in corporate structure under adversity. I personally know owners of companys right now that have sweated out every man they could possibly keep on payroll only to have them turn around and bitch or screw some aspect up (like not coming in or finishing something) hurting not profit but survival of the company. (I know because they called me in as a reaction to help and found new solutions for how they manufactured there product) I just meant use caution right now with the economy the way it is.   I'm in the same boat as Topher. What do you guys make anyway?

[Silver R/T]

http://www.iplayerhd.com/playerframe/progressive/c02cbc60-a5d8-4cc8-b4eb-76b68023dd23.aspx?autostart=true&width=720&height=480

[b5blue]

That's impressive! One of the places I was helping was Blue Hawaiian Fiberglass Pools. I can see they need a quality finish on there machines. (for you a car must be a cakewalk). 

[mauve66]

i completely understand the doing extra for the same or less

right now i do some of my work from home or for about 10 mins AFTER i clock out (out in the yard away from the office) just to get things done that need to be done so no one can look at me ansd say your not getting your job done we'll find someone else who will.  I've been here exactly 10 years and i definitely don't want to start over.  i constantly get told i'm the "go-to" guy to get things done but we have alot of people that just don't get it.  like B5BLUE said, they cost the company money over stupid things that cna make a small company like ours go under in a heartbeat.  when one of our drivers does something stupid and loses a load of concrete it costs the company over $500 dollars. this happens once a week, sure we could fire them but will the next driver be any better??? not a chance they want to take

we get about 10 calls a day to our office from people looking for work, my wife has been un-employed for over 30 days now without 1 call back on all her applications, including crap jobs like wally world and target just to get something out there. she used to make 30K more than me so its not like she doesn't have skills

i haven't got a raise in over 3 years either and the 15-20 hrs of overtime we used to get is gone, strictly 35-40 hrs now.  sometimes life is a bitch and you get what you make of it, i'm not saying your not right to want to vent but at this point in the economy its better to vent here instead of at work

i'm currently trying to sell parts just so i can keep my car, the vacation pay (we never go anywhere) my wife got and mine i just got paid on my anniversary will help get up through a little longer till something does happen

hope things work out no matter what you decide to do

[hemi-hampton]

Silver, Not sure the Body shops are any better. My boss will quote a job or take a job for 25% of it's real price just to land it & they dont go elsewhere because we are slow. As a Result I work 40 hours but only get paid 20 hours & only make $6.00 a hour. I can now make more money working at a Burger King then my Body Shop. LEON.

[dads_69]

You are just one of the millions of people right now complaining about his/her job. Key word is JOB FYI. You have one so stick it out. As stated, there is more than one body/paint guy out of work where you are Silver. You can be replaced believe it or not very easily. No matter what your boss's says about you, your just an employee remember, friend whatever to him *replaceable* still.
Alaska is so far is good shape but lower 48 states are obviously in the shitter.
I'm sure many of us have been in your shoes a few times, but you either suck it up or bail. Complaining in here won't solve your problems at work.

Good luck

[Silver R/T]

I wasn't trying to bitch about it. Was trying to see what your guy's advice would be, other than just "suck it up grouch" lol
Cause I like to listen to other people and seek advice

[dads_69]

I'm not being a grump about it to you. Just stating facts. I understand how this all works asking questions/opinions in here. Wanna here a funny question: say you come in here asking, should I jump off a bridge or not? Think about how many people will say jump jokingly to you, would you still do it just to see what the end result would be?

If your in this auto body business to strike it rich, hahaha, your shit outta luck pal. I say keep doing your job as you have done the past as combo guy and maybe, just maybe you'll get what you deserve someday, maybe.

That's my two cents, again oh wise one.

[histoy]

Silver, I'm glad to see that you're working for a company that is still manufacturing a product here in the USA.  Most of the companies I worked for are gone due to foreign competition or out-sourcing.  Any company doing business here is under extreme price pressure due to foreign competition that uses much cheaper labor.  As a result, they will always be looking for ways to reduce costs, while trying to retain a high quality level.  Sure there have been some layoffs at your plant, but they recognize & respect your skills, because they've kept you on the payroll.   I'm sure that your boss would like to help you out with an increase in earnings, but we know that it's unlikely to happen with this poor economy.  At least he recognizes your efforts and shows his appreciation for your hard work.  That's probably the best he can do right now. 

You seem frustrated that the other painters won't help with the body work needed to produce a high quality product.  I tend to look at it in a more positive light.  I see it as more job security for you.  You still make your normal rate of pay Monday thru Thursday, whether you're painting or not, and you can work on Fridays for OT.   It may get old, but I'd suggest that you take all the OT you can get, especially in this economy.     

[Brock Samson]

 For what it's worth Silver, my job at the newspaper used to have approx. 800 employes - well, it's about 200 now, my job classification had about 20, there are now two,.. There used to be two buildings three stories each and surrounding Sat. offices, all full.
Now they have squeezed all the remaining workers into a corner of one floor, while they try to rent out the remaining office space. and they can't.
Yes, it's that bad. If you can hang on man do so. Don't swim away from the lifeboat.  

[Silver R/T]

Funny thing is that they outsourced enclosures (box looking things, where all the electronics/plates sit inside) to a company down the street who does house painting/door painting and they did horrible job and charged our company thousands of dollars. You can see all the waves, orange peel, etc on them. When they going to mount them on machine it's going to be like "hey, what happened here??" All these corporates don't care for a guy downstairs, they just want more money. I just keep my fingers crossed for now

[Topher]

I pulled a year long tour of duty in 1997 at a Weyerhouser box plant. Started on a 1955 letter press, and then we got a 4 year old Flexo 60" 2 color folder gluer. I was assistant operator and could out perform the operator. The machine had a top speed of 10,000 pieces an hour. I had it humming one night at 9700p/h. Do you know how big a mess can be made running at that speed? There was a piece of flat stock that wasn't trimmed correctly and my assistant didn't get it out and when it went sideways at the front end of the machine it wreaked all kinds of havoc on the finish end! It took dang near 45 minutes to clear it all out.

That was the first job I was in constant prayer for 40+ hours a week! I was begging to be delivered from that hell hole! The reason I was there is because I had gotten laid off from a good paying truck manufacturing job. At the time it took me 4 months to find a job, and when I got the job at the box plant we were VERY close to loosing everything. I didn't see it as a blessing at the time, but they could force us to work overtime if the senior people didn't want it, and most of the time they didn't. Over time is seen as a punishment by alot of people, I see it as a way to bring home extra money. Anyways, I was making $9.72 an hour and was BRINGING home $750 a week. Do the math-that was an @$$ load of ot. The only time I got to see my sons was on weekends, and if my wife brought them to the plant at my 20 minute lunch. I say it was a blessing because if it hadn't been for that job we would've lost our house and no telling what else.

[89MOPAR]

  I have to assume that you are paid an hourly wage, since you mentioned overtime, and never mentioned being on "salary"

  I don't see what the problem is, You work for 8 hours, the 2 other guys work for 8 hours. Are you doing way more work than they do in the same time period ?
   If so, than that's an issue for a manager to motivate or discipline them.
As far as doing bodywork on the machines, it seems like it goes hand-in-hand with paintwork.  To paint it beautifull, you have to prep the piece.   If you are getting paid hourly $$, than what difference if you paint only, or paint + bodywork ?
  For an analogy - I work at a steam plant [ among other things we do] .  What if i was to say, " well , I'll turn the valves on and off, but i'm not going to dis-assemble a valve to rebuild it."
  Or " I will operate the big centrifugal air compressor but I won't blow down the moisture trap - I'm putting out lots of compressed air, so what if that air has moisture in it that could freeze up the lines?"
    Hmmmn, well my bosses may be pissed, my co-workers would call me lazy, and the customer would get a diminished product.

I'm getting paid the same hourly rate either way, why not put out a good product.  Plus it makes the day go faster when you are busy....

  If you said " well they hired me as a painter for X dollars an hour, but they also have me doing electronic troubleshooting on the machine controls, and electronic techs make  2X dollars an hour " ---- then I'd see a greivance with the company.

   Part of being a good employee, involves making your bosses' job easier for him.   That will get you loyalty.
  Your young enough that you can decide whether you want to do the least amount of work for the money - or -  do a job your proud of + be happy to see the guy in the mirror. Your choice.
     

[Silver R/T]

I agree with that. I'm usually faster than other painters, I just can't work slow for some reason. I tent to finish work and then I'm looking for more work to do.

[89MOPAR]

     
your just frustrated with your co-workers + managements failure to keep everyones work to your high standards.
   If there happens to be another downturn in the economy or for your company, it seems like the other 2 jokers will be standing in line for unemployment benefits + government cheese, and you'll still be a valued employee. 

   There's a saying i've heard - goes something like this...
  An employer will pay just enough to keep the employee doing his job, and the employee will do just enough work to keep his job and get the pay...

   The guys who live by this statement generally aren't happy at work. 

[stripedelete]

I understand your frustration but put your head down and forget about it.  Right now a lot of companies are taking work at no margin just to keep paychecks coming to employees.  In this case, disgruntled employees go to the top of "list".

Remember a few things on the bad days: 

1.  Right now even a bad job is a good job to have.

2.  As coach used to tell us, "Stick your hand in a bucket of water and pull it out. You will not see a hole".  (everybody can be replaced)

3.  You can stand on your head in a bucket of $h!t for a year if you had to......

Good luck and hang in there!