I liked the comment about how the production supervisor is stuck in the middle between management and the hourly workers.

I did that job when I was 19 years old. I had 26 or so production operations and about 37 hourly direct reports.

I used to cry before I would go in to work.

K

I felt for the guy that got reprimanded for being late because he wanted or needed to talk to his wife.

My wife was teaching school at the time. If her carpool left the school exactly on time then we could see each other for about five minutes before I had to leave for work.

It pretty rarely happened.

K

It’s definitely a military or a prison type social structure. I came in towards the end of the “bull of the woods” type management style. I like to think my dad and I ushered in a more reasonable and cerebral approach.

The only time my guys doubled up was when they needed a bathroom break and a relief man or my quality man were not available. I would sometimes cover if I knew it was only going to be a minute or two.

K

GMAD rolled Lordstown’s union pretty quick during the 1972 strike and doubled down thinking they could do the same at Norwood. GMAD met its match with local 674 and the 6 month strike.

That didn't end up working out so well. GM moved product out of the Norwood plant and closed the plant 15 years later - lots of factors but the workforce conflict was a big one...

Hey Kurt,

The Norwood closure along with the 10 other plants closed in conjunction with the global restructuring of GM under Roger Smith is incredibly well documented.

If the 1972 strike had anything to do with it closing, why in the world would GM have pumped 270 Million into modernizing the plant in 1981-1982 for the gen three car-- I mean a new Flat plant built at that time was only about 40 million more in cash outlay.

Let me know and I will be glad to send you a free copy of the book "Echoes of Norwood".:beers:

I had to buy my book...

:mad:


(lol)

This is a special offer since He is in charge of the CRG, -- and since he banned me from that forum several years ago I thought the free book is an appropriate peace offering. :)

We had a close friend and car buddy that retired from the Norwood plant in the early 80's. He had connections and was kind enough to give us a private tour of the plant around 86-ish or so. I don't remember the exact year of the tour but I do remember the plant closed down a couple years later.

I thought it was cool to get inside info from a long timer, walk around freely, watch them beat on the 3rd gens that were coming out at the time, it was quite an operation.

My grandfather retired from the Fisher Body plant in Hamilton not far from there, he built doors, or door skins, or something like that. His stories were pretty funny too.

Excellent viewing. Thanks Phil. Hope you are doing well
Jeff