More Work Drama

So lately I've been finding myself stressing out about work more than usual; and no, it doesn't involve my boss this time around. The operating department in the concentrator at the mine is comprised of four run-crews (that work swing shift) and one day shift crew. Back in November, our department manager hinted at the possibility of the crews being switched around; with the day shift crew staying put. There wasn't a huge amount of talk amongst the crews about it, but I knew that was likely to change as we reached closer to the new year, when a process called shift-in-area takes place across both properties at the two Michigan iron ore plants. Shift-in-area is where an individual has the opportunity to change shift or work locations based on their job class. It mainly affects maintenance and electrical, but occasionally it can affect operating. Anyways, sure enough, as soon as the New Year passed, the discussion of switching crews heated up. This time, it was starting to be discussed amongst management. It really looked like it was going to happen, and the blood was starting to boil for many in the operating department.

You see, they did this exact same thing three years ago, and it proved to be a major failure. My dad has worked at the mine for 37 years and only once had they switched the crews around - that one time was three years ago. The reason why it didn't work the previous time is because of the tremendous amount of turn-over that takes place within the department. People leave and transfer to new areas of the operation, most likely resulting in a better paying position. Back three years ago, they wanted to break up this one crew because there was some in-fighting taking place on that crew and it was loaded with guys that had a lot of seniority. In comparison, another crew had individuals comprised of new people. So the balance was way off - so they decided to do a major shake-up and switch the crews around. This ticked a lot of people off and it took awhile for many of the hourly people to trust management again. There was even more turn-over then and some of the older employees retired that could. And surprisingly, three years later, they wanted to try it again.

I was prepared to be moved to a different crew, as there was a 25 percent chance I'd stay on my same crew. But as the days progressed, the story from management about the switch changed. Initially, there was going to be a minor shake-up, but nothing like three years ago. Then that was reversed and it was going to be exactly like three years ago. It changed again; this time management saying eight to nine people would be moved around. In our monthly safety meeting, management told me that I would likely be moving. So that really prepared me for the move. However, that eight-to-nine people estimate would end up being shrinked even further. Now only three-to-four people were moving, and I was still one of them. You see, in my situation, I am an assistant plant operator. I get to help operate the concentrator from a control room in special situations or when one of the full-time operators is not there. I did this before prior to last April when I got moved to a different crew because of a special circumstance. I was the senior APO on that crew at that time. But upon being moved to this new crew last April, there was already an APO on that crew who had more seniority than me; meaning I became a junior APO. With this latest switch, I will again be taking on the role as a senior APO but it comes with a major hitch. I will be having to deal with an individual that does not like working with me.

I was on the exact same crew as this individual before being moved last April, so I know who I'm dealing with. He's the control room operator, the one I will be filling in for when he's gone or when he needs additional help in the panel when there's a lot going on. He and my dad haven't gotten along for the past five years - something involving a very trivial incident that involved the two of them before at work. So for some reason, he has taken the existing feud with my dad out on me. He has treated me differently than most of the others on that crew. A lot of times I feel like I am getting the silent treatment. He could be joking around with everyone else on the crew, but when I enter the room, he turns stone-faced. I really don't know what to make of it - he's not really very easy to talk to. He's tall and talks in a very, gravely tone. He's been a smoker for years, so you can understand why he talks the way he does. He used to be very involved in the union but quit a few years back because of "health reasons." When he was in the union, he was gone quite a bit. I kind of wish he was still involved with the union because then I wouldn't have to deal with him that often!

Needless to say, I was a bit upset to learn I'd be transferring back to my old crew after a little less than a year to work with an individual I have a hard time dealing with. On my last weekend off, I thought all about working with him in the past and it really bothered me. I couldn't even have an enjoyable weekend off from work! I don't know what has happened since, but I've become more accepting of it. Also, it might be because the switch doesn't officially take place for another two in a half weeks. But still, I was disheartened to know I'd be having to leave a crew I really enjoy working with in exchange for working on a crew that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm hoping that things end up a little better the second time around, but I'm not getting my hopes up. If I have to, I will confront him because this time around, I am not going to take his behavior as well as I have the last time around. I got to stand up for myself a little better and not be so intimidated about this guy so much. If I do that, it may help out my reputation he has of me.