I work for a large company that will remain unnamed. This company has very recently decided to make some serious changes. The change I am speaking of today has to do with the work hours being moved.
Today I was brought into a meeting with nine other coworkers for about half an hour. The operations manager dropped the ball on us that we would be starting and finishing our shift an hour later. It was made to seem like we would be voting on the subject, but it became apparent that it was being forced very quickly. Being on 2nd shift, where we already have an end time of 1 am, we would now be trapped until 2. To say the least, this news did not bode well with me. I was not the only one who felt this way. Speaking with everyone at the meeting as well as another 10 or so coworkers, I learned that this was a very unpopular change. In fact, this change seems to be the breaking point for some who admit they will switch shifts or even quit if the change goes through.
I haven't mentioned the worst part yet.
They're going to create another shift for about 5-7 people who will come in an hour earlier than current start time. This shift will require people to apply and go through the process to receive. It is based on seniority and attendance who will get the position. The big thing about this is, EVERYONE wants that start time. A lot of talk is going on about quitting, moving shifts, and how the people who come in early may be more likely to get more hours than those who come in at the new start time (there is no fixed amount of work to be done). There is also a lot of displeasure with the fact that this position is now going “by the book” when many other people have gotten hybrid training positions without going “by the book”, and all the sudden management is changing how they handle things.
I will admit that our focus is safety and management says starting later will make for a safer work environemmt.
I'm considering starting a protest or a petition agaisnt this change. I happen to know that at least half of the crew would be willing to do one of these things.
That being said, is protesting a change like this going to cost my coworkers their job if they side with me? Are there legal matters I should be looking into? Would a protest need to go through a member of management or can it just happen the day of the change? Is a protest even going to be effective if the entire shift isn't in on it?
This is my first post here, so please, excuse my negligence to the topic. Any insight is appreciated.