Be Willing to Sacrifice Today for a Better Tomorrow
One of the first lessons we learn in life is: "Listen to your elders!". As children, we are assurred that adults know best. Of course, we eventually learn that, not only do adults not always know best, some of them are not very wise and a few are evil incarnate; but that is a subject for another blog post on another day.
Upon being released from active military duty in 1968, I was hired by the H.J. Heinz Company as a clerk in the shipping office of its facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The annual salary was $4,500.
My father and uncles were flabbergasted when informed of my new job title and salary. They were all laborers in the numerous steel mills, paper manufacturers, or factories that were scattered throughout the city during its industrial heyday. Each was also a member of a labor union and despised that evil entity known as "management".
The lowest of the 14 pay-grades of a Heinz - Pittsburgh factory union employee in 1968 was $2.85 an hour. They were paid time-and-a half for overtime and double time if they worked on a holiday. My salary equated to just $2.16 an hour and I was not paid for overtime.
My father and uncles thought that I was very stupid or possibly insane and let me know it. My argument that I was thinking long-term and intended to work hard, learn the business, and eventually be promoted into the ranks of management convinced them that their assessment of my mental state was correct.
Eventually, the demands of their respective unions became so costly, the vast majority of the steel mills, paper manufacturers, and factories closed down. They did not go out of business; they just moved their businesses to "right-to-work" states where most still thrive today.
To make a long story short, my plan worked. Eventually, I was promoted to shift supervisor, then department head, assistant manager, module manager and, in 1996, I was appointed manager of the company's Pittsburgh facility. Over the years, my monetary compensation was increased to the point that I was able to retire in 2001 at the age of 54. Since then, I have been able to enjoy a very comfortable, retired lifestyle; travelling and doing all the things I never had the time to do before.
A life lesson: Never dismiss advice out of hand. However, learn to think for yourself and plan ahead. It is sometimes necessary to sacrifice today for a better tomorrow.
Upon being released from active military duty in 1968, I was hired by the H.J. Heinz Company as a clerk in the shipping office of its facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The annual salary was $4,500.
My father and uncles were flabbergasted when informed of my new job title and salary. They were all laborers in the numerous steel mills, paper manufacturers, or factories that were scattered throughout the city during its industrial heyday. Each was also a member of a labor union and despised that evil entity known as "management".
The lowest of the 14 pay-grades of a Heinz - Pittsburgh factory union employee in 1968 was $2.85 an hour. They were paid time-and-a half for overtime and double time if they worked on a holiday. My salary equated to just $2.16 an hour and I was not paid for overtime.
My father and uncles thought that I was very stupid or possibly insane and let me know it. My argument that I was thinking long-term and intended to work hard, learn the business, and eventually be promoted into the ranks of management convinced them that their assessment of my mental state was correct.
Eventually, the demands of their respective unions became so costly, the vast majority of the steel mills, paper manufacturers, and factories closed down. They did not go out of business; they just moved their businesses to "right-to-work" states where most still thrive today.
To make a long story short, my plan worked. Eventually, I was promoted to shift supervisor, then department head, assistant manager, module manager and, in 1996, I was appointed manager of the company's Pittsburgh facility. Over the years, my monetary compensation was increased to the point that I was able to retire in 2001 at the age of 54. Since then, I have been able to enjoy a very comfortable, retired lifestyle; travelling and doing all the things I never had the time to do before.
A life lesson: Never dismiss advice out of hand. However, learn to think for yourself and plan ahead. It is sometimes necessary to sacrifice today for a better tomorrow.
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B.D. wrote: "It's always inspiring to read of someone having a plan and then making it happen! Especially if it was a life plan. A personal question - if you don't mind - did your travels ever bring you to th..."
B.D.
Thank you for taking the time to add those kind words in your comment on my blog post.
You are correct. My father's grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Croatia. Unfortunately, I have never visited Europe.
My foreign travels as a civilian were limited to Canada and Mexico. My stint in the military during the mid-1960's included time spent in Okinawa, Iwakuni, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.
Jim
It wasn't hard to guess. Well, maybe it's time to come visit ''the old country'' :)
I just realized that when you said Heinz - you also said Pittsburgh. Middle son went to Carnegie Mellon in Mech. Engr. there.We visited the Heinz cathedral is it? Lots of beautiful wood, if I remember right. I have trouble getting around, and trouble having enough energy, so it puts a crimp on traveling as much as I'd like.
Having a plan and sticking to it is the right thing to do - putting off immediate gratification to fulfill longer goals.
Alicia wrote: "I just realized that when you said Heinz - you also said Pittsburgh. Middle son went to Carnegie Mellon in Mech. Engr. there.We visited the Heinz cathedral is it? Lots of beautiful wood, if I rem..."
Alicia,
The Heinz Chapel in Oakland was donated to the University of Pittsburgh by the company. It is a favorite choice by many young couples for their marriage ceremony.
Carnegie Mellon is a prestigious, world-renowned university. A degree obtained there practically guarantees that the recipient (your son) will enjoy a very successful career.
Your comment supporting the blog post's premise is much appreciated. Thank you.
Jim Vuksic
A personal question - if you don't mind - did your travels ever bring you to the land of your ancestors? I suppose, judging by your last name, that would have to be Croatia.