The more seniority you have....the more you're appreciated....has been my experience
I was Number One for about a year and a half,........and Union steward for about 16 years....
I can flat-out guarantee you ,....they didn't "appreciate" me in any way, shape , or form,....that would involve me having a say-so over the daily work assignments,...or the credibility and competence,.....over my co-workers.
In fact,....the reverse may be said.......It seems that some of the things I recommended as steward,....were not only ignored,.....but the reverse policy was sometimes used.
Part of that would probably be my fault........I don't "play well" with authority. There was a constant underlying question about what my "agenda" was......management's way of undermining the guys' I represented confidence in me.....
I had the oldest tractor,....the 'Cubes,...the private homes,...the liftgate........Obviously, I was not the "fair-haired child"........Some of that I volunteered to do,.....with a smile,.....being the consummate professional that I am.......(.....and they couldn't find a way under my skin,...if I would volunteer to do some of the "dirty work".......)......
No, Brother,..........Management would like you to believe you're more "treasured" than the new-hires,.............but in reality,......you're older, slower, loaded with vacation and attitude,....and too familiar with the operation...( ..which, to management, means you know how to play the angles....)...
That YOUNG new-hire,.....is paid less,....has no vacation,.....probably no sick days,......and is eager and willing to take management's word,........and eager to prove himself.
Nothing wrong with that,........but in pure dollars-and-cents terms....(..and when did management ever think in other terms?...)....the new-hire is much more valuable, in the companies' eyes.....than us old, slow , overpaid , high-seniority guys......
They tell you anything else.......you're getting the smoke blown up,...if you know what I mean......
