[cheesy]

Here's the latest bit as promised.

On Wednesday, Harold went to pick up some guys from one of our Italian factories at the condo we are renting for them. Got them without much trouble, but we always say that rounding up our European counterparts is sort of like rounding up ducks. You can do it, it just takes some time.

Anyway, Harold rolls in with them at 8:15 am. Marlene, she of Service Maggot Fame, has returned to full Management Bitch and points her finger at Harold and tells him, in front of the Italians and whoever else in the vicinity, that our new hours start at 8, not 8:15. Harold snapped and went ballistic on her. When he was done ripping her, he went into Al's office and slammed the door, breaking the window in the process. He ripped Al for almost 45 minutes, part of it was him wanting to know who died, and I quote, "made that crazy bitch my boss". Which was followed by how bad this cluster has been handled, why is Jason doing production and shipping when it isn't his job, why can't Jason have someone observe when he is assembling so someone else can do it, why have the hours had been changed when this was supposed to be a 'lateral move' for those of us kept on, why hasn't another CS person been hired, where are the Service Personnel that were supposed to hired before the move. I guess Al never got a word in edgewise before Harold ran out of steam. I spoke with Harold about it later in the day and just mentioned that calling out Marlene when she deserves it will result in an instant write up. I know, I have several. Harold told me that he told Jason that had I been in his place, I would have probably killed her. He also said that my plan of only sticking around until I am eligible for Medi-Care has become his goal, too.

Today's latest bit. The head of all the factories and the COO were back in the shop and asked Jason why the welding team wasn't doing any welding. Jason pointed at the 20 year old mig welder and said that he asked the new PA to order a tank of C25 over a week ago and he still doesn't have it. They then pointed to the even older Canac diesel stick welder and, mentioning my name, told them that I said that it hasn't been used in over five years, it needed servicing and a battery, which he also put in a request for over a week ago. Also, that I was the only one who really knew how to start and run the damn thing. They both stormed out of the shop and headed for Al's windowless office.

The other thing today was that Harold and Jason both had a mutual blow up at the Bobbsey twins(Al and Marlene) later in the day. This time, about the treatment that the Service Dept has been receiving of late. Basically, it boils down to the fact that the twins beloved sales staff are on the road an average of four days a week with them being home on Friday to do 'paperwork' and 'to follow up on sales calls". Hell, I reached one guy in his deer stand on a Friday. Jason and I work weekends, holidays, have our vacations canceled, and put in many 12 to 16 hour days. I have had several extend beyond 24 hours. On top of all that, we are paid less. A lot less.

So, I am going to pin down the top four people in our organization when they are here next week and, along with Harold and Jason, in an unplanned private meeting that will either put a stop this madness or get my ass fired. If I do get canned, Jason is following me out the door.