Our supervisor is forcing our line to run short despite having full staffing as punishment for an essentially
ty night (wether the
ty night was our fault or the plants fault with management believing it's ours but maintenance backing us saying there really wasn't anything we could have done to make the line not jam). My main question, is this grievable? If so would it be more effective for the members on our line to file individually or as a group. Thanks.
"Working short staffed" is part of the UPS culture and has been for many years.
Key points to deal with "short staffing" are as follows:
1) Work Safe. If the short staffing is causing hazardous conditions such as packages on the floor, etc., you can file a grievance on safety conditions. Also...make sure you always have 28 inches of egress to and from your work area. If not OSHA can be contacted per :
Design and construction requirements for exit routes. - 1910.36 | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
1910.36(g)(2)
An exit access must be at least 28 inches (71.1 center manager) wide at all points. Where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access.
Learn where you stop buttons are and use them anytime conditions are such that safety of the workers is being compromised. Work at a safe pace and remember to use all methods you were taught in your DOK training. It takes time to lift and lower properly. Ask for help for any over 70's or any packages that require a "team lift".
2) Place the burden of productivity on the company rather than yourself or your coworkers.
"Failure to Plan on the part of UPS management does not constitute an emergency on the part of the hourly workers".
3) Know that all of UPS is understaffed including management. Expect high tensions at the operations level and understand that your supervisors are being directed by a Wall Street driven Corporate Board that has little idea what is happening at the "street level" of business. You are working in an era at UPS where corporate profits take priority over service..... This was not the case before UPS went public with their stock.
In summary....work smarter....not harder.