laborer

Unilock

Unilock as a company is above average. Their benefits, pension, and profit sharing are on par with industry standard now-a-days. The company looks after their employees, especially long-term. Unfortunately, most of this was ruined for me by the site I was apart of. 

A typical day for maintenance personnel would be to come in and check e-mails/work requests, then try to complete them within the 1-2 hour timeframe prior to the next shift starting up. After that it consists of PM's, fabrication, rebuilds, and prepping equipment for the next overlap shift. Shifts were scheduled for 11-12 hour shifts. 

Being apart of maintenance brought on many new skills and challenges but was extremely frustrating at times. The department recently has been increasingly difficult because management doesn't allow the maintenance department to operate the way it should be. They also keep expecting more and more out of the maintenance staff - although they were already severely understaffed - without offering any compensation. Luckily the maintenance personnel are all excellent people to work with and most are very knowledgable. Any new apprentices eager to learn can learn a lot from a few of the individuals there and these individuals need to be valued more.

During the last year and a half or so, morale has been steadily declining at this site. It has been very difficult to work there at times. Maintenance morale especially is on the decline. I know many of the peronnel were looking for new jobs right as I left because of how poorly the site has been run recently. Respect is given to knowledable maintenance people from coworkers but that is where it ends. 

Upon leaving, I had given my two weeks notice. I took a personal day on my second last day and when I returned to work the following day, I was confronted by two members of management. I was told I have to empty my lockers, turn in my swipe key, and to go home without pay. I had never had any trouble in regards to write-ups, verbal warnings, suspensions, etc., yet my treatment on my last day was a disgrace. It all stemmed from one individual who thought this was a way to punish me for not showing up the day prior. One phone call to HR, a formal complaint, and a request for an exit interview helped resolve that issue. I was furious on my last day the way they treated me because I was consistently giving the company 60 hour weeks (when only scheduled for 48) without any recognition. Also, within my two-week noitice, none of my supervisors or managers came to talk to me or wish me luck until the last day when they were forcing me to leave.

To sum up Unilock; they're a great company especially if you're looking for long-term employment. There are opportunities for advancement within the company, it has solid pension/benefits/profit sharing, and they do have employee appreciation days. They usually offer around two weeks off around Christmas which is a huge perk and greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, this experience was mostly ruined by the site I was apart of as it is in dire need of new management to keep that site afloat. Something needs to be done on that site or many operators and maintenance personnel will be leaving for one of the competitors moving into the local area. 

After 17 years of loyal work and recent years of watching the Ayr site circling the drain, I decided to find successful employment elsewhere. The company's upper management truely seems to care about work-life balance, and is looking to make improvements. Sadly this is hindered by the site management which seems to be out of touch with their staff employment/safety needs and are not willing to take the time to hear them out without being confrontational. During my final weeks there was no exit interview conducted by HR, no attempt at professional communication from the site management, and supervisors were left out of the loop.  My Christmas bonus that was earned through the year was even revoked. This is the treatment after nearly 17 years of consistent and loyal service.
In the workplace there is a definite issue with micromanaging, a lack of training (operational and safety), and next to zero positive feedback (if any feedback at all). The morale is definitely low, hours are long, and there is little accountability for any damages caused. Even the first aid and safety measures aren't routinely enforced or followed correctly.
The senior floor and maintenance crew are quite knowledgeable and very decent people to work with and learn from. Hopefully the company recognizes these skilled individuals and takes measures to keep them happy. There's potential in the company to advance if you're willing to put the effort in and are able to appease management. I genuinely wish the company well and success in the future. I am grateful for the experiences I had here. 

Unilock is a good place to work if your a young man looking to make some honest money. It can be very physically demanding @ times and it takes some time to learn the Machinery. Training could definitely improve. The culture is mixed pending on what plant your working in. With the long hours and expectations to produce stone in a timely manner you can expect a stressful environment sometimes. The Manager’s can be alright sometimes but given any situation you better be prepared to keep busy at all times. Do not expect to leave early regardless of break down’s, there is lots of concrete waiting to be chipped and lots to be cleaned. If you don’t like dust this job is not for you. It is very dusty at time’s and also dirty. You are given a mask so I would definitely use it. When it comes to benefits they are amongst the best, your family will be well taken care of. It is hard to advance as there are many employees waiting for that opportunity and some will step on your toes to get there. Just be prepared to work long shifts and to work hard.

Worked here for several years on night shift and have lost touch with reality because of the work schedule. Decent pay especially with no experience, but always hire whoever just to fill an opening so you end up training a lot of new people only to see them leave a few months later. The work atmosphere and co workers are what keep me here, and the pay. They have great benefits and Pension plans available. I can talk to the managers at anytime but they only tell you what you want to hear. Scheduling is a bigger issue here. Not knowing the schedule and such till only a day or 2 prior. Kind of place where select few do most of the work while others don't seem to do anything. Overall it's a good place to work and select few do climb the corporate ladder. This company is growing rapidly and has a lot of growing pains right now. Completely different from years ago. The owners are excellent and have nothing bad to say about them.

The company shares great values, putting safety before all. They offer competitive compensation and great benefits. The company has gone through alot of recent changes, trying to grow its business. Lots of new management and a growing staff. If you are not performing up to company standards you will be fired or transferred departments. They will see you either sink or swim and deal with you appropriately. You have to be on your toes and ready to work long and hard hours.

Plant work is either very physically, or very repetitive. These workers have the longest hours (generally over 50 hours a week), but get overtime compensation over 44 which increases their pay significantly.

There are plenty of chances to grow and get promoted within the company.

You take the good with the bad.

Day to day work varies from Plant location to plant location. Any competent person can do the work of a labourer. The job may not be difficult, but the dusty and loud environment definitely isn't for everyone.

Management can be very helpful and the bosses are all very approachable.

I've gained many valuable skills learning in a manufacturing environment. If you're able to pick things up quickly and are all about improving your bes you can work your way up in the company. Hard work and dedication pay off, but you have to work smart.

The workers are mostly friendly, which makes coming to work alot easier.

The benefits are great, there is profit sharing, safety bonuses, christmas bonuses as well as other great perks if you take advantage of them.

Unilock has a great safety record and truly takes it seriously.

I worked as a millwright for 1 year, and the hours were to much.  Zero family life, and great if your single.  As maintenance you are not challenged at all.  Most jobs that are long are generally subbed out.  Management is stuck up and about themselves and not the employees.  I was surprised with some of people they hired considering there criminal history.  The girls working the office seemed moody, and sadly this company does not hire females for production.   My maintenance super always talked about how bad business is and how the company is going down hill.  He is awkward and a horrible millwright.  As for the production workers, there were a minor handful that actually did not mind there job, the rest hate it. Good luck, and out respect I wish Unilock success, for the well being of the economy.

Pay is good but be ready to pay a lot of taxes. Long 12hr shifts with only 2 breaks. All I did was work and sleep, no time for my family. Everyone drives crazy on the forklifts in the yard, no beeping. They make you max out your forklifts weight and tell you to go faster. My back wheels came off the ground multiple times in a day. Its an extremely dirty place to work. As a forklift operator I was expected to clean the pits full of gravel that the machine operator created. At the end of the day the machine operators leave and the forklift operator has to clean. Alway the last to leave. Management is a complete joke. Play favorites. The yard supervisor is a troll that pops up and stares at you while he has multiple smokes and coffees.

As a maintenance worker at our warehouse, I've found the role to be both challenging and rewarding. Our warehouse is a bustling hub of activity, and the smooth operation of machinery and infrastructure is essential to maintaining productivity and safety standards.

First and foremost, the physical demands of the job are significant. From repairing conveyor belts to troubleshooting electrical systems, there's never a shortage of tasks requiring hands-on attention. However, for those who thrive on tackling varied challenges and staying active throughout the day, this aspect of the job can be invigorating.

Start up the machines/ mixer, oil shutes. I would bring product in and out of the warehouse, tag product, and do inventory. Circle safety checks on all forklifts. 
I learned how to operate a fork lift very well, time management skills, and mix operation as well as inventory.
 
Management was professional, mind you there was a lot of micro- management happening within the workplace leading to contradictions. The workplace culture was professional, clean, and well mannered. 

Standing for 12 hour shifts was the most difficult part of the job. Operating the forklift was the most enjoyable part.

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