Can I be Nearly as Interesting as Slang?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Warch is right.......as usual.

Our plant had a system where if I was being laid off I could choose the “labor pool” as an option to going out the door. The 50 or so highest seniority people that chose the “labor pool” would stay in the plant. Lowest pay grade, mostly 2nd shift, doing mostly maintenance (read janitor), or things like re-labeling parts coming out of the paint shop.

The reason for the “labor pool” was if they needed help in one or more of the shops due to poor planning or sudden customer demands, I was already in the plant with my tools and I knew the ropes. In 8 hrs they could have me where they needed help, ready to work.

In industrial setting's the men’s toilets are usually called the “shithouse” for a very good reason and not the most pleasant ambiance. Cleaning them means spending enough time in there to be considered cruel and unusual treatment by my nose. I figured if I had to be there I’d make it as pleasant as possible, so I scrubbed and sterilized places people don’t even know exist. Having been a plumber I knew things could be worse.

It’s funny how people you work with a month before look down their noses when you’re doing that work. Some would say, “Oh yeah, I was in the labor pool back in....”, but most avoid eye contact and hustle away. But after a couple weeks I started overhearing things like, “It don’t stink no more” or “It ain’t never been THIS clean.” Strangely, after a few weeks, when I’d come in at the start of my shift there would be less paper towels on the floor, less soap on the wall and mirrors and less general filth.

So even if you’re cleaning “shithouses”, if you do a good job it’s noticed and appreciated.