My regular readers might remember that my husband is a truck driver. A few years ago he decided that he was ready to come off the road and drive locally for the well established company of ConAgra. This decision was made for a number of reasons. We thought it was time to settle down a little. To do the grown up thing and have a job that provided health insurance and retirement benefits. He had just turned fifty and was planning to keep this job until he chose to retire.
The job has been very demanding with long hard hours and daily changes in the schedule. We felt that the company felt that they “owned” him. Being a team player and looking to the future he has stuck it out. And we adjusted our home life to fit this new lifestyle. The truth of the matter is I saw more of him when he was driving on the road.
His supervisor is retiring this year. Brent has been working hard to be ready to throw his hat in the ring and compete for that job. He had a similar position years ago and felt that he could effect some good changes that would really make a difference in efficiency and quality. In short he felt that he had a good chance at the job.
So saying that we were ill prepared for Tuesdays announcement is a huge understatement. There was a mandatory meeting which everyone thought was to hand out awards. It wasn’t. They were told that ConAgra is eliminating its trucking division completely. They have contracted with an outside trucking company to fill all the trucking needs. The new company is known for its refrigeration fleet but has never done agriculture trucking. It was announced that this takeover would be complete in three months and their jobs finished.
There were many questions asked but not very many answered. The upper echelon simply did not know even the most basic facts. Once the shock wore off there was a general agreement that this will be a huge train wreck. They were assured that all could apply for a job at the new company which will keep its home base in Pasco, WA. This town is at least 45 minutes from here. It sounds as if they want people to punch the clock in and out there. It is early in the process so maybe things will be worked out by the time it starts. I’m willing to give them the benefit of doubt.
It’s just so ironic. We felt we had job security. These plants make French fries for McDonalds! What’s more secure than that? He works with people that have worked there for 30 years. We have good insurance and other benefits. We even get free product from time to time. We felt that we were settled and preparing for our future. And then this!!
This just goes to prove my point that life can change completely in a moment. I’ve learned that lesson a number of times. It also goes to show the uncertain times we live in. Others who have been downsized out of a job in the past few years will agree. This is not our father’s work environment. They worked their whole working life in the same place, steadily climbing the ladder until they reached a retirement party and a gold watch. Not so today. Sigh….sigh.
We’ll be alright. We have some long tested survival skills. We could make it work living under an overpass somewhere. My girls would add “after she cleaned, organized and beautified the place.” They know me so well. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
The job has been very demanding with long hard hours and daily changes in the schedule. We felt that the company felt that they “owned” him. Being a team player and looking to the future he has stuck it out. And we adjusted our home life to fit this new lifestyle. The truth of the matter is I saw more of him when he was driving on the road.
His supervisor is retiring this year. Brent has been working hard to be ready to throw his hat in the ring and compete for that job. He had a similar position years ago and felt that he could effect some good changes that would really make a difference in efficiency and quality. In short he felt that he had a good chance at the job.
So saying that we were ill prepared for Tuesdays announcement is a huge understatement. There was a mandatory meeting which everyone thought was to hand out awards. It wasn’t. They were told that ConAgra is eliminating its trucking division completely. They have contracted with an outside trucking company to fill all the trucking needs. The new company is known for its refrigeration fleet but has never done agriculture trucking. It was announced that this takeover would be complete in three months and their jobs finished.
There were many questions asked but not very many answered. The upper echelon simply did not know even the most basic facts. Once the shock wore off there was a general agreement that this will be a huge train wreck. They were assured that all could apply for a job at the new company which will keep its home base in Pasco, WA. This town is at least 45 minutes from here. It sounds as if they want people to punch the clock in and out there. It is early in the process so maybe things will be worked out by the time it starts. I’m willing to give them the benefit of doubt.
It’s just so ironic. We felt we had job security. These plants make French fries for McDonalds! What’s more secure than that? He works with people that have worked there for 30 years. We have good insurance and other benefits. We even get free product from time to time. We felt that we were settled and preparing for our future. And then this!!
This just goes to prove my point that life can change completely in a moment. I’ve learned that lesson a number of times. It also goes to show the uncertain times we live in. Others who have been downsized out of a job in the past few years will agree. This is not our father’s work environment. They worked their whole working life in the same place, steadily climbing the ladder until they reached a retirement party and a gold watch. Not so today. Sigh….sigh.
We’ll be alright. We have some long tested survival skills. We could make it work living under an overpass somewhere. My girls would add “after she cleaned, organized and beautified the place.” They know me so well. That’s the view from my side of the street, what’s yours?
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