Early Lessons in Labor Management Relations
My first private sector job after university was as a sales trainee for a woodworking machinery company. The company was managed by the husband of the founder's heir. The manger was a well dressed, distinguished looking man with an air of self assurance who often had a look of distain for the shop workers. The aging book keeper and mother of the parts manager worked hard to keep the antiquated accounting system in order. One day the manager noticed an error in a report and invoice. He went storming in to the elderly lady's office and proceeded to curse, scream, yell and threaten the woman over the error, stormed out leaving her in tears. I was appalled that he would treat anyone like that. I marched into his office and told him that what I had witnessed was inexcusable bullying and, if I ever saw him treat anyone like that again, I would permanently remove the distinguished look from his face and quit. Amazingly, I was not fired, I was selling quite a bit at that time and maybe he thought of the investment to train me. He never bullied or shouted at anyone again while I was present. I learned then and there it pays to stand up for fellow workers.
During my second private sector position as assistant to the manager of an Oregon wood processing company I was in charge of developing a new panel coating system using a special water based adhesive. We set up glue spreaders and aggregate applicators in an old mill warehouse with poor ventilation. The crew of about 5 men began to complain about head aches and stuffy noses asking if exhaust fans could be installed. I went to the manager who replied that the crew was just a bunch of "cry babies", I protested adding that I thought it was pretty smelly, dusty and unpleasant to work there he refused the request. A short time later the vice president of the company brought the board of directors (multi millionaire east coat heirs) to view the innovative new process, they walked about 3 feet through the large open warehouse door and I heard them comment "this smells like hell" and retreated backward to fresh air where the VP proceeded to explain the process. Still later one of the workers told me they were talking to the union about organizing in order to get improvements in working conditions. I reported to the manager about the interest in organizing and within the week millwrights were installing exhaust fans and dust masks were available. I told the workers that they owed it to the union to join but they did not. I learned there that workers don't understand or value those who protect them.
EG