The nation just finished celebrating Labor Day and I wonder how hollow the act of honoring our nation’s work force is. It seems that it has become the practice of many to forget the sacrifices of those who went before us and also be reminded of what we are in the process of losing—something called the American way of life.
The auto glass industry is a microcosm of that change. For decades, auto glaziers were looked upon with some respect. We had to learn certain skills like cutting laminated glass into certain shapes. We had to be virtual engineers to deconstruct a 1956 Chevy Bel Air or Ford Thunderbird. Anyone who had to replace a windshield on almost any late 1960s or 70s Fiat or Ferrari needed patience, artistry and a prescription for Prozac to complete the job effectively. The sad fact was that Prozac hadn’t been invented yet but Budweiser had.
When I got into the business in 1980, I could not go on a dealership service lot in San Jose, Calif., without a union card. The mechanic’s union was that strong in the area. I became an owner-operator of the Glazier’s Union and stayed a member for almost 10 years.
America has turned its back on unions in the past few decades. No doubt it seems that leadership has stagnated and become self- serving. Yet if one looks at the advances of the 20th century, it can be certainly said that without the pioneering efforts of labor unions, the plight of American worker and the size of the middle class would have been far worse off.
Forty-hour weeks, overtime, work rules, medical insurance and pensions all were benefits and rights that were hard-fought and won either by contract negotiations or direct pressure by unionization. The sad fact has become that the American worker has been involved in a series of givebacks because corporate management has found avenues to lower labor costs by simply shifting production to third-world countries where cheap labor is the norm or just recognizing that an overabundance of labor exists.
Just take pensions as an example. The defined benefit plan has almost become passé except for the public sector simply due to the costs to the employer. 401(k) programs simply contain more risk over the years. They can fluctuate both in value and the amount of employer contributions. Medical insurance coverage in many cases has shrunk through higher deductibles, limited providers and smaller benefits. Many employers have simply stopped offering coverages or pensions.
What concerns me the most is the shrinkage we are seeing before our very eyes of the middle-class that wears a blue collar to work. Unions helped our parents climb the economic ladder for home purchases and to open up the opportunity for a college education for their children. Those chances hardly exist with our current service workers in Wal-Mart or McDonald’s and it seems almost any auto glass shop.
How did we lose our craft so fast? First of all, many Americans don’t even respect us. The industry has allowed itself to be cheapened through easy entry and a lack of standards. It is my personal opinion that until both are tightened considerably, auto-glazing techs will be considered no more trained than tire installers or drive-through oil changers. Mention that one is certified by any one of the three organizations that do so and, for the most part, the next question you will hear is, “How much will my glass cost?” Americans have become so brainwashed by media selling the Super Saver or the Value Menu that a sizeable disconnect from a consumer’s brain to wallet has developed. Price and ease have become almost the sole components when making a buying decision and that is obvious more times than not when it comes to choosing glass vendors.
Look at the way our industry is heading. First of all, it is in the process of consolidating into very large players. On the retail side, Belron is following the business model of Wal-Mart—controlling costs and competition by its sheer size and bringing economic pressure to its mid-size rivals as it enters or ramps up its presence in various areas. As the competition folds, techs either seek employment elsewhere or start up smaller operations. Many others have learned that the ownership of a mini-pick-up is practically a ticket into our trade. If you can transport auto glass, you can be an installer; no questions asked or skill set required. Word of mouth may catch up with the worst of the perpetrators but that takes time and the damage is already done.
Glass distributors are changing hands or just closing down. The bigger players get larger and the smaller ones get absorbed. Yet due to the flood of imported product that exists, very small niche operators have sprung up in large urban areas that market themselves to low price operators. It appears that particular business model is built more on the sand of volume than a firm foundation of reasonable return.
Easy entry and cheap product availability is dooming our industry. Our wages and margins have fallen or at least stagnated for many in this industry. You may be called “associates” because you certainly aren’t union members. Make an attempt to organize at certain shops or companies and see how long one has employment. CEOs are far more concerned with pleasing Wall Street and their board of directors than they are with keeping their employees happy. If one has to work 60 hours or more to earn production bonuses, are you living the “Life of Riley,” enjoying life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Or are you just trading dollars with the mortgage company or perhaps the pediatrician? We have lost ground because we are simply working longer for less and few care about the product we put out.
In the play “The Elephant Man,” the main character cries out, “I am not an animal!” Well, as auto glaziers we should be saying the same thing. We are worth something. We have value both as craftsmen and as human beings. Too many of us have lowered the bar or have allowed it to happen. It’s time we stopped before we lose that blue collar as the shirt to which it is attached is pulled off our backs.
