My head's on the chopping block

[CAL]

Was told 2 months ago that I'd be running the new press that the company was buying. Now the company has a new production supervisor and he decides he's gonna bring in his own people. He layed off my buddy last week, leaving me as the only pressman in the shop. I asked him today about the new press that he originally told me I'd be running and now he says he thinks he wants someone with more technical background . I've been in the business a long time and he even said I'm the best pressman he's ever had but he wants a guy that's book smart as in someone that went to college to do my trade Not only that but they are selling my press. Where does that leave me? But they want me to train whatever new guy they hire on how to actually run a press? I don't think so I'm not showing anybody anything So now I gotta find a new job before the ax falls. If I don't, my daughter and I are gonna be living in the car

canalratt1- you got any openings at your new shop

[marky1]

It looks like he wants somebody that is not as smart as you,....someone he can put the sqeeze to as in "My way or No way! "This the way it will be done!" or somebody for less $$$...and one more thing..you may be a threat to him ...too smart for him to handle ! Good luck !

[Homerun04]

It happens in every career......I have been through EXACTLY what Marky is describing 3 times now....too smart for the management team, and therefore posing a threat.....I have a friend who says it best...."The day I wake up and look in the mirror and realized I have become a big motherf***ing ass****, that;s the day I am going to ask them to put me into management"........everyone is so scared all they think about is protecting their little kingdoms......such sad thinking

[BigFish]

You are right to feel the way you do CAL. I been there, get while the gettin' is good!

[bassmaster]

F'em just screw I would

[Bawana]

Isnt printing great!!! When I left maine back in 89 they begged me to come back and train a second man to run press for two weeks.My question was what am I gonna teach him in two weeks that he hasnt been able to grasp in the last two years hes been second man???????I dont care how long hes spent in college or how many books hes read trying to be pressman is strickly OJT.What I saw the most was companies want press operaters not pressmen.They are cheaper to hire but when something goes wrong most dont even realize they are in the #^&#^&#^&#^&e never mind what to do to get out of it.They just call in prisco and the salesman comes in with the latest bottled cure right in the trunk of his car.Another was when everything got switched from film to CTP and files came in encrypted so if there was a problem noone knew what to do to fix.Sit around and pick your nose for hours while they scrambled to get customer to give them encryption codes.another is they want one guy to do everything from feeding or rolltending to unloading stock or jogging while hes also trying to run press.The new work uniform should be blue tights with a red cape and a big S on the shirt.GOOD LUCK

[Bigcat]

Cal,don't quit until you have another job.
The best way to get at them is to keep taking there money.
Also if you are over 50 you may have a age discrimination case?
Employers can not just get rid of people with out a very good reason, theft, tardiness,insubordination,ect,ect

[Canalratt1]

Cal I'm in a one man shop. I left the bigger high end type of printing to go back to running smaller 2/c presses. The jobs just aren't there anymore. If you can run a Heidelburg Printmaster check out Smith Print in Assinippi Park Norwell.

[Slipknot]

That sucks Cal they can't expect you to train your replacement. I know I wouldn't do it. If they want you to have an education, then offer to go to classes at night and that they should pay for it.

[CAL]

Canalratt1, yup, I got 3-4 years on that press. I saw the ad and I'll be calling them tomorrow.

Slip, no way I'm gonna train anyone

I talked to the guy that owns 60% of the company today and he said there's no way he'd let me be layed off, but if there's one thing I've learned in this business it's "don't trust what anybody says". I will be looking. Hey, if I go through the training that any pressman would go through for this press and I can't cut it, then by all means , take me off it. But I've always been given the chance to prove myself at every other company and I've always delivered. Sounds like this new guy doesn't want to give me the chance and that would be the biggest slap in the face I've ever gotten in this industry and there's no way I'd continue to work for them after that. But obviously I won't leave till I have another job lined up. Just gonna take some time to find one as Canalratt1 can tell you.

Thanks for the support guys
Chris

[Backbeach Jake]

Cal, as long as you've done a good job for your pay, you owe them nothing else. Leave any feelings of guilt behind and take care of yourself and yours, that's where your real loyality lies. This kind of crap is going on everywhere. I've seen good, honest, hardworking men escorted out the door on less than 2 minutes notice. And the company whines if you don't give 2 weeks. The best of luck with the new job, the old one doesn't deserve you.

[MAC]

That's what I'd do. Find someplace else to work and just walk out the door. And as far as your last check goes, they have to pay you. Especially if you are punching a clock. If punching a time clock try to get a copy of your card before you leave so as to limit disputes.

[28inches]

CAL, who's buying the press you currently operate? Maybe they can use your skills??