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multigraincracker

(36,829 posts)

35. 30 years to the day, I worked in a large factory.

Reply to fightforfreedom (Original post)

Sun Oct 23, 2022, 08:44 AM

Oct 2022

Was able to retire at age 52. It was a large shop with about 3,000 hourly workers split up by a couple of shifts.
Most couldn't afford to retire because they had families and debt. I didn't have either and socked away some money and had no bills.
After one year I had pretty good jobs, only because I had perfect attendance and knew how to type. I did have some ups and downs, got fired 3 times. Two of those they caught me just as I got to the door and gave me my job back and one time the company called me at home 3 days later and gave me my job back. Made me feel needed.
Went back to college part time and that made work a piece of cake. I got to ignore every one because I had my nose stuck in a book.
Had to fight the company and the Union a few times, but grateful to both. Still pay my dues and buy the product.
Best advice I can give anyone retiring is to keep moving.

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The responses to my retirement post are a real eye opener. [View all] fightforfreedom Oct 2022 OP

That is a very clear explanation. I agree totally Walleye Oct 2022 #1

It's the job that makes you smoke and drink. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #2

Yup, but the drinking only works against you in the end. It's a mine field out there. Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #20

My last job was in a terrible public library XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #65

I worked in a library like that. murielm99 Oct 2022 #86

Wow. Fortunately, my local library shows no signs wnylib Oct 2022 #97

I think for most people genxlib Oct 2022 #3

Those golden handcuffs are real. Pacifist Patriot Oct 2022 #55

I can totally relate to your experiences. I also worked in a similar environment. walkingman Oct 2022 #4

Thank you for that Honest. post. True Blue American Oct 2022 #13

Yup, unions help the little guy and gal. Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #16

Love this. Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #17

Until It Happens To You FrankTC Oct 2022 #5

True. The workplace can be a very dark place and very bad for your health. Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #15

A toxic work environment almost killed me. Pacifist Patriot Oct 2022 #54

Google "work trauma". I went through that more than once, raccoon Oct 2022 #76

It can simply eat you up, nibble by nibble, little bite by little bite. calimary Oct 2022 #98

I worked for a SHIT company for 20 years. I am so happy running my own now... Ferrets are Cool Oct 2022 #6

I know this is a very serious topic, but cyclonefence Oct 2022 #7

That made me chuckle. Ferrets are Cool Oct 2022 #9

I was surprised to see how anxious people were to share their thoughts and experiences 70sEraVet Oct 2022 #8

You did the same thing my Son did. True Blue American Oct 2022 #18

I think that many middle management managers are treated like a dog, so they feel it necessary Chainfire Oct 2022 #10

While Likely True... ProfessorGAC Oct 2022 #71

i settled down to raise a fam just in time. mopinko Oct 2022 #11

And you sound contented True Blue American Oct 2022 #21

i am but the big thing i chose was to dump my hubs. lol. mopinko Oct 2022 #24

But you made the right decision for you and your family. True Blue American Oct 2022 #67

the kids were grown by the time we divorced, mopinko Oct 2022 #70

I worked in the corporate sector. Very toxic. Need to find at least one mentor to survive. Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #12

Me too. Then I guided my children away from such a career. GoodRaisin Oct 2022 #104

👍 Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #105

👍 Joinfortmill Oct 2022 #106

The reference to teachers caught my attention..I retired 17 years ago. 3Hotdogs Oct 2022 #14

Toxic Teaching Environments.... McKim Oct 2022 #41

Was there ever a time in history when work for most was fulfilling and rewarding? Kaleva Oct 2022 #19

Not for some!:) True Blue American Oct 2022 #22

When I starting working in the 70s the work place was not as toxic. It was more laid back. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #28

Thanks to ronnie raygun, wildcat striking became illegal SouthernDem4ever Oct 2022 #30

It's changed a lot. Used to be much different and laid back by comparison. Now the "health care" Evolve Dammit Oct 2022 #40

This is why we need True Blue American Oct 2022 #68

yep. I'm a Bernie/Liz supporter so you know where I'm at with universal health care. Evolve Dammit Oct 2022 #72

Think of the thousands of years before child labor laws, unions, social security and duch Kaleva Oct 2022 #43

Life was hard Random Boomer Oct 2022 #38

Life was a struggle and people took what ever work they could get. Kaleva Oct 2022 #47

it's a tired old saw but onethatcares Oct 2022 #60

So right snowybirdie Oct 2022 #23

I turned in my notice at one job wnylib Oct 2022 #100

Work turned to shit when..... jimmil Oct 2022 #25

Whenever I started a new job Mr.Bill Oct 2022 #79

this is my 3rd week of retirement littlewolf Oct 2022 #26

From a female point of view- milestogo Oct 2022 #27

I believe you. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #31

I became an expert at handling sexual harrassment malaise Oct 2022 #36

Ha! That is great. And the reference to Bolt made me smile Evolve Dammit Oct 2022 #42

Most of the assholes are terrified of their wives malaise Oct 2022 #48

sounds about right. It's time for more rights for women and I hope we can retain House control to Evolve Dammit Oct 2022 #64

I worked in an office with two men who never stopped talking about milestogo Oct 2022 #51

I loved my profession malaise Oct 2022 #29

Oooo, that sounds like something I would have fun doing. Pacifist Patriot Oct 2022 #56

I'd love to learn more about this. jmbar2 Oct 2022 #62

I would like to know more about this, too! ShazzieB Oct 2022 #74

Lol doctors. carpetbagger Oct 2022 #32

The key to freedom is being able to walk away from a job at all times. The Jungle 1 Oct 2022 #33

Good unions can make a big difference in people lives. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #34

30 years to the day, I worked in a large factory. multigraincracker Oct 2022 #35

100% correct wendyb-NC Oct 2022 #37

Perspective of an engineer dwayneb Oct 2022 #39

"...giant soulless corporations". That sounds right.... Evolve Dammit Oct 2022 #44

Your post is another example of what I am talking about. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #45

Engineer here too Johnny2X2X Oct 2022 #50

Union! True Blue American Oct 2022 #69

This is a true story. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #52

Tom Smykowski in "Office Space" resonated with me. Pinback Oct 2022 #46

Must have seen it at least 10 times malaise Oct 2022 #57

Office Space - in my top 10 dwayneb Oct 2022 #94

I've dealt with similar issues. I totally feel you The Third Doctor Oct 2022 #49

I worked as a computer programmer SouthernLiberal Oct 2022 #53

When I got out of the military after 20+ years, Farmer-Rick Oct 2022 #58

Good post. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #63

The worst, scariest thing that happened to me at work was this. fightforfreedom Oct 2022 #59

I dealt with many of the same issues at my old job Woodwizard Oct 2022 #61

Work most certainly is toxic for a lot of people. Perhaps even most. Jedi Guy Oct 2022 #66

"Management and the union were in a constant state of war." LudwigPastorius Oct 2022 #73

The Episcopal Priest this morning says he's ready to retire - again. SleeplessinSoCal Oct 2022 #75

I don't feel so alone in my experience because you shared your story. Alwaysna Oct 2022 #77

I worked for a liberal organization whose work I support. Yet I had a very bad boss who wanted to CTyankee Oct 2022 #78

Your first job ymetca Oct 2022 #80

I'm close to retirement. BradBo Oct 2022 #81

My workplace is deranged. Hoping to retire within 5 years. onecaliberal Oct 2022 #82

Mine was deranged, too XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #83

It is incredibly difficult to get through. onecaliberal Oct 2022 #84

when I hear fellow Booomers saying younger workers aren't as "loyal" Skittles Oct 2022 #85

Soon as I hit 62, I'm out of the workforce. Xolodno Oct 2022 #87

I for one loved your post. I'm sorry that others aren't being supportive. Shipwack Oct 2022 #88

I was stuck in teaching due to health insurance... BigmanPigman Oct 2022 #89

Work is a toxic, draining thing to do. Aussie105 Oct 2022 #90

I, too, am waiting to become myself again XanaDUer2 Oct 2022 #107

The "greed is good" snot Oct 2022 #91

Most jobs suck NJCher Oct 2022 #92

Even those of us who like helping people are having difficulty now. I'm a Physical Therapist and at LT Barclay Oct 2022 #93

I liked all my jobs. Cracklin Charlie Oct 2022 #95

I'm still working part-time after 50... JoeOtterbein Oct 2022 #96

I hear ya! A lot of my fellow teachers were mad at me becaue I spoke up when our contract Dark n Stormy Knight Oct 2022 #99

Actually, in a lot of ways, it got better for women between the late fifties when I first joined appleannie1 Oct 2022 #101

I loved working - still busy at 83 dem in texas Oct 2022 #102

Japan is horribly worse. betsuni Oct 2022 #103