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Antiwork

Major automotive company using apprentices as cheap labor

So I work as a first year light auto mechanic for one of the biggest car companies in the world. Also evidently, one of the cheapest ran branches. I understand that apprentices get the “shitty” jobs for the first few years and I respect that. But I am feeling burnt out from the amount of work I am required to do. My contract states that I am required to work 38 hours a week. Although, I am doing nearly 45 every week and had an argument with a service advisor as they want to make it almost 50 hours. I am required to come in half hour earlier every day to help out with the driveway (driving customers dropped off cars into parking spots), which is fine, and at the end of everyday, I am to clean up the shop, which is also okay. I am now being asked to…


So I work as a first year light auto mechanic for one of the biggest car companies in the world. Also evidently, one of the cheapest ran branches.

I understand that apprentices get the “shitty” jobs for the first few years and I respect that. But I am feeling burnt out from the amount of work I am required to do.

My contract states that I am required to work 38 hours a week. Although, I am doing nearly 45 every week and had an argument with a service advisor as they want to make it almost 50 hours.

I am required to come in half hour earlier every day to help out with the driveway (driving customers dropped off cars into parking spots), which is fine, and at the end of everyday, I am to clean up the shop, which is also okay. I am now being asked to finish off the car washers jobs at the end of the day which can take from 1-2 hours every day then pack up after him.

The service advisor was talking about how their loan cars are filthy, and never full of petrol, and suggested that I come in on a Saturday when I’m not rostered on, to fill the cars up and vacuum and wash the cars for the new week. I argued that it wasn’t my job to do so and he argued that it was a part of being an apprentice and that I should do as I’m told.

I’m burnt out, frustrated, and haven’t even started my learning/theory yet.

Any suggestions on how to move forward?

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