My lowest point - was undoubtedly when I was seconded to a Work Study team of axemen in 1972 (when I was 2 years out of my apprenticeship) whose objective was to cut jobs. The team was headed by the Chief Axeman a senior manager from GKN Group Head Office, 2 contract Work Study Engineers me and my mate. The logical approach was to second 2 experienced Work study Engineers from the establish STL Team and then fill their gaps with contractors but I think there was a hidden agenda, because it was such a controversial project the powers that be didn't want the existing STL Work Study Enginners anywhere near it because of the bad feeling that might ensue. I didn't volunteer and I didn't want to be part of the project - I would be wielding a sabre at workers I had worked with in every production unit in the factory.
Me and my mate were sent on a 3-week crash Work Study course at John Evan Associates in the Jewellery Quarter and then set to work, the GKN Manager would not at any time accept a "Existing manning level is optimal" report, the survey was undertaken, which took some weeks, and the report with recommendations was prepared and submitted.
The team was disbanded and me and my mate transferred to the established team of Work Study Engineers.
Nothing became of the report, a number of rumours abounded and included: The Axeman from GKN Group was approaching retirement and this project was to keep him out the way until then or the report was simply buried by the STL Directors.
Had I been the managing director I would have taken heed of the report but said I would achieve the reductions by natural wasteage no-one will be sacked.
I continued to hate every second I was operating as a Work Studu Engineer and eventually got transferred out of the department.
It was about then I started to question if my future lay with STL.
Peg.