Oct. 3

I have calmed down greatly since my rage-consuming afternoon yesterday. I started the day off still irate and constantly on the verge of frustrated, angry tears, but somewhere along the way...and I really don't know why...my attitude changed. By the end of the workday we were laughing about the new 12-hour days and almost excited to get switched over.

I found out that if I don't bid on the Relief Person position for the new crews, and if all the Relief spots were filled by others, and if I didn't want to be part of the 12-hours, I would be placed into whatever job opening there was over on the 8-hour lines. They would start at something near the top of the pay scale and work down until there was an opening for me. I found out that if I got a filler position on the 8-hour lines I would only have to take a 50cent pay cut. I think it's unfair that I'd have to take *any* pay cut, but 50cents is far less than I'd feared it would be. I also found out there is a possibility I wouldn't have to take *any* pay cut (reasons to involved too get into here) but I would have to work that out with our plant manager.

So it was a relief to find I do have somewhat of an option, but it's too risky for me to hope I get a filler job. I guess I knew all along I'd be part of the 12-hour crew, because once I learned all this I was strangely at peace with my 12-hour fate. Actually, when I'm not mad about something, I don't have much of a problem with this afterall. I just had to let my emotions run their course I guess.

As the day went on, it became funny around work. It's become like a competition, seeing who is bidding on what jobs, and trying to figure out who will end up where on which crew. My movie watching co-worker has decided to stick with the 12-hour crew and put in her bid. She had a terrible day yesterday and in an angry huff had decided she wanted nothing to do with the new hours. Like me, after settling down, she's ok with it now. So she and I and the other filler operator already running the machine on our shift have banded together and want to keep our little group intact. We made sure we all bid on the same shift/crew, and mentioned to the production manager that we want to be together.

It's also funny how many people are asking about my job. CoWorker said "They're [management going thru bid forms] going to wonder what you do all day that has so many people after your job." LOL Right now, on our current 8-hour shifts, we have three relief people (one on each shift). When we go to 12-hours, they are adding a fourth crew. That means they need one more relief person. And that's the spot everyone is wanting.

There is one guy in particular, on first shift, who seems confident that he'll get the relief spot. We were joking around, building our crew out of people we know have put bids in. I 'stole' all the good people and left him with the rejects. I told him my crew will run 100% everyday cuz we're so good, and his crew will be lucky to run 10% and they'll have to work extra days to make up for it...which gives my crew more days off. *snort* It was all joking around, but that's how the day was going.

So, while I'm still wishing we didn't have to do this, I am accepting that I have to. And looking forward to those extra days off. As one co-worker put it, "When you're off your husband will be at work and your kids will be at school."

Hmmmmm... LOL