This latest work run wasn't scheduled but had to be done because we are short-staffed by 1 person, the boss let a cry baby off while another was on vacation that had been scheduled all year. There was only two of us left that is qualified for the position and union rules state a management employee qualified at the controls on our units must be in the plant, the union doesn't want union hands on the controls.
We can't promote or hire another qualified management employee to fill our vacancy due to staffing levels are at the total allotment. We were told we would have to make do with the four of us until there is an opening allowing for another on the controls. We have two union hands getting ready to retire after the first of the year and one of those slots is rumored to be filled with another qualified management employee.
They have been told that there is three of us control qualified employees getting ready to retire in the next two to three years but there's been no push to get anyone ready to step up. In order to feel comfortable and knowledgeable enough to run the place takes at least 5 years but they, plant upper management and corporate management, don't seem to be listening. We have actually heard the plant manager make the statement that morale and survey results will improve once the older folks are gone. If he keeps talking like that, he just might find out what it's like to run this place without the older folks, it won't be pretty.
