V.Iljin
THE PRIMARY TRADE-UNION ORGANIZATION OF THE FACTORY « « FORD MOTOR KOMPANI » IN VSEVOLOZHSK (LENINGRAD REGION
Background of a factory
Automobile factory "Ford" has appeared in Vsevolozhsk recently, however he(it) has background which is important for understanding of the present. Company " Ford " has traditional communications(connections) with Russia which roots leave to the beginning of 20 centuries. The company kept for Russian market, despite of all falsities of a history of this country. It is the important fact in part explaining why "Ford" appeared among the first foreign automobile companies which were dared(were was solved) on large-scale manufacture in Russia.
For the first time Henry Forda's automobiles have appeared in Russia in 1907 when in Moscow the trade mission « Ford Motor Company » which has been transferred to Petersburg later has opened. By 1911 dealers Ford worked in Warsaw, Kharkov, Odessa, Екатеринославле. And by 1913 automobiles (various marks) Fordаhave got popularity from rich Russians.
Revolution of 1917 has interrupted activity "Fordа" in Russia. But, as appeared, not for a long time. In 1919 both parties(sides) had been made the contract on delivery to the Soviet Russia 400 machines for an agriculture. In 1925 import of automobile production has reached(achieved) the peak: 11140 units of technics(technical equipment) of which 10505 made a tractor. In 1928 of the USSR has decided to adopt experience of America where the Soviet delegation has recovered. On May, 31, 1929 was the contract with company " Ford " about cooperation in construction in the USSR of a factory the maximal capacity up to 100 thousand automobiles one year is signed. The contract has been signed for nine years, but in 1935 the agreement has actually ceased to operate.
In 1970th years Ford repeatedly accepted invitations from Soviet party(side) to take part in construction the Autovase, the question on participation in construction КАМАЗа(but "Ford" has not accepted) was discussed. Real rapproachement has taken place only in the autumn of 1987 when "Ford" again have invited to participate in development of the Soviet car industry. On this time negotiations were successful and even the whole complex полигонныхtests of new model has taken place, but manufacture of machines of a "management" class has not been started. The project in 1989 has been curtailed(turned), the parties(sides) this time were not left on questions especially economic.
In 1991 in Moscow the first official dealer « Ford the Motor of the Company » has appeared. Two years later automobiles " Ford " (practically full European scale and some the American models) have passed becoming obligatory certification. In 1995 successful development of commercial operations in Russia has demanded creation in the country of own representation. One of the primary goals put before Moscow office which have opened in March, 1996 of the company, began search of a platform under construction of a factory which capacities would cover needs(requirements) of the local market.
Eventually the platform has been found in Vsevolozhsk Leningrad region. Major factors of a choice of steel:
1) Affinity sea and tracks:
it facilitates delivery of accessories from Europe.
2) presence in area of resources of a labour, including qualified.
3) Saint Petersburg is the commodity market of automobiles largest after Moscow. By 2005 60 % of made automobiles of the company here came true.
Now « Ford Motor Co » 159 factories on all planet, including 70 - in territory the USA belong. On them it is borrowed(occupied) about 332800 person. Besides the field of activity of concern includes manufacturing
electronics, the fuel equipment, products from plastic, conditioners, and also rent of automobiles and manufacture of spare parts.
Creation of a factory
On July, 8, 1999, the management of the company has entered into the investment agreement with the Russian government about the organization of manufacture of automobiles in the city of Vsevolozhsk of Leningrad region. In one year "Ford" leaves the joint venture " Ford the Union " which since 1997 conducted "отверточную" assembly of models "Escort" and "Transit" at a factory in settlement Obchak near Minsk Manufacture in Belarus is curtailed(turned) within the framework of the program of re-structuring of the European division of the company, and all forces have been thrown on construction of the big factory in Russia. The factory has been focused on release of model « Ford Focus » - models which has received a rank « the automobile of year » in Europe and America in the same 1999.
On July, 9, 2002 solemn opening a factory has taken place in the city of Vsevolozhsk. His(its) cost has made 200 million dollars. It(he) became the first manufacture in Russia, completely belonging and taking place under the control of the international automobile company. Capacity of a factory has made 25000 automobiles in one year with possible(probable) increase in manufacture up to 100000 automobiles in case of change of inquiries of the market. At a factory originally there were 400 workplaces. Specially under Ford the mode of a free customs warehouse allowing беспошлинноto import accessories in exchange for the obligations on localization of manufacture (the level of localization should make 50 % after five years, since 2002) has been developed.
In 2003 the factory has typed(collected) capacity and has passed for work to two changes, and in 2003 – in three changes. In 2002 the factory has let out(has released) 2,5 thousand automobiles, in 2003 — 16,3 thousand, in 2004 — 29,7 thousand (it is sold – about 40 thousand), in 2005 - about 32 thousand automobiles.
In 2005 the factory has been reconstructed under release « Ford Focus » the second generation. Besides the strategic decision to increase manufacture up to 60 thousand automobiles one year was accepted. The company has spent for this reconstruction about 50 million dollars. According to president Ford Motor Company in RussiaХенрикаНензена, transition to new model has been dictated by strategic plans of mark on a gain of the Russian market.
The "know-how" and working conditions
Manufacture of the automobile in Vsevolozhsk begins with welding a body. This process will consist of three stages. The first — welding of separate details (them about hundred) in large units. The second — assembly of a body in a single whole in the main conductor. The third — final procooking of welded seams and "навеска" external details of a body. All works are carried out manually. On conductors of a detail are compressed by clamps and are welded by welding ticks. To use robots, each of which costs(stands) about one million dollars, at rather small volumes of manufacture it is considered economically inexpedient. Therefore here quality of welding entirely depends on " the human factor ". The control of welded points is carried out(spent) mechanically (with the help of a hammer and a chisel), and on "obverse" panels — with the help of ultrasound. Each fourth body is exposed to such control. And once a month one of bodies leaves in factory laboratory: it(him) break off in клочья, checking all up to a uniform point of welding.
Painting of bodies carry out(spend) on a line capacity up to 25 thousand machines one year. It not the painting chamber, namely a line which borrows(occupies) the big shop. The skim body acts on a siteфосфатированияand drawings катафорезногоa ground. It is already fully-automated process during which the body is consistently immersed in some baths. Then — drying, hermetic sealing of welded seams, drawing шумоизолирующейmastics and противогравийногоcoverings, stacking шумопоглощающихit is matte. First the ground is rendered, and after drying the body enamels and is delicious. Bodies are painted manually, usual pistols - краскопультами. It is possible to paint bodies in 10 colors and to replace a paint, it is necessary to take other pistol only. Latent кузовныеcavities are processed by wax mastic. The input(entrance) on a line of painting is prohibited to the stranger: all process should occur in sterile cleanliness.
On the small pendant conveyor which is laid in the form of letter U, electroposting, internal furnish are mounted, glasses are put. In parallel "подсобираются" doors, the instrument panel, suspension brackets, the engine. Connection of a body with a running part passes in two stages. First on a body the back suspension bracket, and then — the forward module which includes the engine collected on a underframe, a box of transfers, the steering mechanism and actually a suspension bracket is mounted. After refuelling by operational liquids the automobile acts in the rain chamber on the control of tightness, and then — on racing drums.
The personnel
Opening of a factory in suburb of St.-Petersburg seemed to many local residents excellent(different) prospect. When have declared a set of the personnel, the stream of applications(statements) has rushed. On four hundred workplaces applied about ten thousand person. In result selection was rather rigid: tests, interviews with the psychologist, the master.. The Selected workers were trained in the center of a professional training in Vsevolozhsk, and the some people - and on Fordовскихfactories in Spain, Germany and Sweden. Preparation of workers for work on the conveyor simple also borrows(occupies) usually some days.
In due course appeal of a factory has decreased.
- As far as rigidly selection conduct?
- Was more rigid earlier. Now all already know, that pay here in 10 thousand, and to work it is necessary much. People not very much goes (3).
To the middle of 2005 number of constant workers of the company in Vsevolozhsk has reached(achieved) 1700 чел.
Aspiring to raise(increase) flexibility in work with the personnel and independence of pressure of trade union, administration began to use a policy(politics) of outsourcing. Рекрутинговыеthe companies select for « Ford Motor Kompani » workers for performance of time works. According to leaders профкома, in him(it) pay almost twice more, than the constant worker of similar qualification. To tell the truth, these workers are involved on conditions of temporal contracts, do not receive the medical insurance, do not participate during professional growth that is connected to increase of the salary in connection with increase of categories. As time workers they cannot enter trade union.
- In the long term, - chairman профкомаconsiders, is there can be a threat, but employ 150 person of all on a line. And we perfectly realize this prospect of threat (3).
The salary
Doubtless advantage of work on "Fordе" - a stable payment.
- But the white salary, in time pay (3).
To tell the truth, the level of her(it) cannot be named high even to local measures. The tariff rate of the working 1 category - 11100, « pure(clean) on hands » - 9500.
- The yard keeper in Peter 10000 receives! (3).
The important factor of possible(probable) increase in the income of workers are overtime – "overtimes" as speak at a factory. They allow to increase the salary by m. Therefore, by calculations профкома(the official data will not be promulgated), the average salary of the worker – about 15 thousand roubles a month.
- But to earn 15 thousand, - chairman профкомаspeaks, - people live at a factory: in the middle of a week processing, on Saturday leave. The conveyor machine squeezes out all. Someone is pleased, people of near mind(wit) that there is an opportunity to earn. Yes, is, but business in the friend: how many you leave health for these three thousand superfluous (3).
The salary on « Ford МоторсКомпани» in Vsevolozhsk approximately in 5 times is less, than receive working corporations " Ford " in Poland, Czechia, Hungary. But in comparison with position in Russia the salary here is looked tolerably: the average salary of workers in machine-building branch across Russia makes
less than 6 thousand roubles, in Petersburg - 10,8 thousand roubles, on "Autovase" - 12,1 thousand roubles.
Aspiring to reduce costs, the administration began to carry out(spend) a line on rationalization of system of a payment.
In 2005 the administration has unilaterally changed surcharges for categories. In result those who has received new categories after March, 1, have started to receive on 1000-15000 roubles less those who has received the same category earlier and performs the same work.
Is a discrimination absolute! – consider in профкоме.
Work on "Fordе" does not provide any bonus for performance and перевыполнениеthe plan, that it seems to Russian workers natural. Only during the conflict of autumn of 2005 it was possible to achieve it.
- Understand, - make comments in профкоме, - on the western companies, coming here, try to veil all this as though command work: « we members of one command(team) … Give! » With slogans operate, the same as in "McDonald's": you know, we to you do not pay a fig, but all of you members of one
commands(Teams), commands(teams) "McDonald's"! Everywhere same. But if in "McDonald's" of the boy and the little girl here already everywhere adult people and as though these slogans are good only all over again when you have got in the western company and it is glad, they here were not earlier, and now they are, and I with them, and we members of one command(team) … Through there some time there comes inspiration, that all this only words to not pay money. And when you start it to understand, you try something to make (3).
In 2006 the administration has cancelled overtimes. Профкомconsiders, that it in отместкуfor intractability of workers.
- Such as times you so, we to you to earn we shall not give (3).
Annually since March, 1 the management of the company carries out(spends) indexation of wages: in 2004 inflation has made 12 %, the salary have raised(increased) on 13 %.
Is, - chairman профкома, - not asserts(approves) increase of the salary: 1 %. Firstly they still confused us, but потихонечкуwe start to understand (3).
Creation of the trade-union organization
The primary trade-union organization of a factory has arisen in 2002 under the initiative from below. As the initiator the manager on purchases has acted рядовый. Some workers of a factory explain his(its) determination to that the administration of it(him) something has offended.
The initiative has been maintained обкомомtrade union of machine engineers where the primary organization has come. At the same time it has been similarly created primary the organizations and at other foreign factory "Катерпиллер".
- Guys came here, and the organizations have been created, then we have notified employers (4).
The management(manual) обкомаhas apprehended this event as the important and symptomatic step.
- At "Fordа" great achievement. There work young ребятишки– 25 – 26 years. And they have decided to take destiny in the hands. And this great achievement. People have understood, that is necessary to be engaged. The trade union will not be engaged instead of them, it(he) only enables. And in this sense to overestimate Fordовцевit is impossible (4).
Administration of the enterprise has apprehended this event negatively, but actively did not interfere. And soon fears have been removed(have been taken off). The trade-union organization has borrowed(occupied) a traditional niche, having concentrated on the organization of holidays, gifts to children, etc. In 2003 the decision was accepted, that the trade union before a management(manual) will not represent interests of workers, since this function has been transferred(handed) to advice(council) of labour collective.
To the middle of 2005 in the trade-union organization have consisted 112 чел.
Trip of trade-union delegation to Brazil
Push to radical change of the trade-union organization became trip of pair workers of a factory to Brazil as representatives профкома.
The Brazilian trade unions of corporation " Ford " annually hold a seminar on which trade-union leaders and the active workers working at factories of corporation in Northern and Southern Америкахgather. When organizers have learned(have found out) about creation of the trade-union organization at a factory "Ford" in Russia, they have invited therefrom a pair of representatives. The big role in the organization of a seminar and involving in him(it) representatives of trade unions different the country, including and Russia plays international organization TIE (Transnational Information Exchange).
Chairman профкомаfor any reason could not go. Instead of him(it) there has gone Alexey Etmanov, working, the member of trade union which was not consisted even in профкоме. To tell the truth, it(he) showed some activity already and then. When have offered trip, it(he) at once has agreed. Motivation simple: « I Shall visit to Brazil on a freebie! ».
But expected tourist trip appeared completely other. Rest has failed. " For all time, - it(he) speaks, - only two times was expiated at ocean " (2).
In Brazil visitors have acquainted with work of the local trade-union organization. It has shaken A.Etmanova. It(he) for the first time has understood, that the trade union can be not such what it(he) saw it(him) in Russia. The picture was remembered:
- There I have seen such situation. The chief of a site approaches to the worker and speaks: « Do(Make)! » - « I am not obliged it to do(make). We shall meet in профкоме». The chief at once: « it is Good. You should not do(make) it ». This a parameter! Security material and moral. Has seen real trade-union work (2).
During all seminar - in the afternoon and in the evening - there was a dialogue with colleagues from other countries, despite of a language barrier.
- When at them conference - ежевечерниепьянки. People разноязыкие. But after the second glass I have found out, that at me smart English language [is dared]. I once learned(taught) it(him). To Canadians have communicated (2).
It was found out, that work at a factory in Brazil same heavy, as well as in Russia, and at times and more hardly. But difference will be, that the trade union tries to supervise working conditions though is compelled to go on compromises.
- Plough the same as also we. But heat! « And how you struggle with it? » - « the Central air costs(stands) dearly. The agreement is signed, but neither we, nor administration we can not go on it » (2) yet.
The first impression from dialogue:
- The strongest trade union! Initiators are mechanics. They with formation(education) also realize necessity of trade-union work (2).
Probably, for the first time A.Etmanov has collided(faced) questions of ideology which are bound with daily problems of work at the enterprise. During the postSoviet epoch of a word "ideology" and furthermore " марксисистскаяideology " for many sound as nostalgia on " политико-mass work " ideological departments of party bodies of the CPSU which pasted over space of cities and factories slogans " Glory of the CPSU! ", " Glory to working class ", " Forward to a victory of communism! ", etc. In Brazil A.Etmanov with surprise has found out, that people never living in the USSR or in the similar countries, speak about marxism as a key to understanding of realities of modern capitalism. And it(he), apparently, being surprised with itself(himself), has seen in it the big sense.