Body Stamping Historian

[Keith Seymore]

Here's another thought...

The other thread seems to be heading in a more historical/technical direction.

Since we've already had some exchanges about different relatives in the industry perhaps this thread could take a more personal tack.

Can you tell us a bit about your work experience (ie, hourly vs salaried, different job assignments you've had through the years, etc)?

Thanks,

K

[G-10Assembly]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Here's another thought...

The other thread seems to be heading in a more historical/technical direction.

Since we've already had some exchanges about different relatives in the industry perhaps this thread could take a more personal tack.

Can you tell us a bit about your work experience (ie, hourly vs salaried, different job assignments you've had through the years, etc)?

Thanks,

K

Not one to toot my own horn but since you ask I will reply.

I was finishing up Nursing School to be a License Practical Nurse (I did get my license) when I hired in on 8-21-1972 as a Press Metal Worker. I worked in the department that stamped and welded the Endgate (tail gate) for the 1973 model pick up. About 300 new hires were hired that week end prior.

After nine days I went on salary as a shop clerk and I did that four months and was unjustly booted back to production hourly (long sad story). However I was glad to go back as well.

Went through one long lay off from Chevrolet 74-76 but during that time I worked 50 weeks at Detroit Desiel Allison Div. In Indianapolis.

Finally in June of 1976 I was back to the Chevrolet Plant worked a year and got into the apprenticeship in June of 1977 as a Millwright (we did our own welding also). Became a journeyman in 3 years 2 months and 3 weeks (overtime).

Worked a short while as a Millwright and then got laid off for nearly 2 1/2 years. Toward the end of this I worked a month at Delco Remy in Anderson as a Millwright.

While in that long lay off I retested and went back to the Chevrolet plant as a W.E.M.R. apprentice and started all over again. WEMR or Welder Equipment Maintenance & Repair. I was an apprentice in this from 1983 to 1987 and became journeyman. This trade worked on all the spot welding machines and hanging gun spotwelders. We did it all and some referred to it as a "Bastard Trade". It was a large group.

I worked as a WEMR for 16 1/2 years total. Along the way the welding was downsized gradually. Hence in June of 2000 I was ask if I wanted to transfer to the Electrician Department and get cross trained as an Electrician. I went into that as an E.I.T. (Employee In Training) In four years I was an in plant Journeyman Electrician.

In September of 2004 I retired at the age of 52 and my life has never been happier. I have a letter that was given to me by request from the Human Resource Dept. when state in writing that in GM's records I am skilled in three trades... which is fairly rare. It is not that I am "genius"...it was a lot about being in the right time at the right place.

Now what was really interesting about all of this was being exposed to so many manufacturing processes at the plant. It was all interesting and I enjoyed ALL OF IT, and made a good living as well.

Almost forgot...for 4 months in 1995 I was loaned out and worked in WEMR at Lordstown Assembly in Ohio where the Cavalier and Pontiac Sunfire was assembled at the time.

RKW

[Keith Seymore]

Thank you for sharing; 52 years old.... that's ...uh... pretty young to be retired.



Your experience(s) as far as working and then getting layed off parallels what was happening up here in Flint and Metro Detroit at that time. Historically a person could plan on graduating from high school and hiring in "the shop" and working the next 30 years without drama. Not so much by the time you and I came along.

K

[G-10Assembly]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Thank you for sharing; 52 years old.... that's ...uh... pretty young to be retired.

Well not really...as I have said before...I'm not a genius. HOWEVER, if I had it to do over again I would have left when I was 49. I had 30 years accredited service when I was 49 years old. Make no mistake... retirement is the biggest decision one may make in their lifetime. Where I worked the door only swung one way. Hence you better have your mind made up and $ducks$ lined up. No regrets here, since retiring I have not hit a lick,nor been bored a second... just living the dream. Also... a man can only stuff so much money In that old mattress. HAW!

We had one Millwright work 59 years and he was a model employee. When he told me he was leaving I said, "Don, why don't you stay another year and make it an even 60 years." He replied, "Oh no Randy... that is just entirely to long to be working."

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by G-10Assembly

Well not really...as I have said before...I'm not a genius. HOWEVER, if I had it to do over again I would have left when I was 49. I had 30 years accredited service when I was 49 years old. Make no mistake... retirement is the biggest decision one may make in their lifetime. Where I worked the door only swung one way. Hence you better have your mind made up and $ducks$ lined up. No regrets here, since retiring I have not hit a lick,nor been bored a second... just living the dream. Also... a man can only stuff so much money In that old mattress. HAW!

We had one Millwright work 59 years and he was a model employee. When he told me he was leaving I said, "Don, why don't you stay another year and make it an even 60 years." He replied, "Oh no Randy... that is just entirely to long to be working."

LOL. I am afraid that is going to be me, too.

K

[G-10Assembly]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

LOL. I am afraid that is going to be me, too.

K

Shucks... nothing wrong with that. Work is honorable, retirement can be also.

Did you know Antonio Stradivari was making his famous Stradivarius Violins in Cremona Italy until he was 95 (croaked)? If a guy wants to "fiddle around" go for it.