line operator

Ventra Plastics

It is unfortunately one of the only factories left in Peterborough. It was a great place to work.  It was a place where, if you did your job well and with pride you were treated with respect. They would not ask anyone to come early or stay late, long weekends ect..   or give 110%  to meet impossible deadlines that we gladly did, without them doing the same. And they always went out of their way to show their appreciation in large ways and as simple as just saying  “great job, thank you” There was never a feeling that any ones jobs was  more important than the next. From plant manager , human  resources any job. It didn’t matter,  we were all the same. Unfortunately  when a new human resource person  took over, that was no longer the case. Is has become a plant that is extremely divided. Where some feel they have the right to treat the production employees like we are lower than themselves. It is-now a place that is miserable without any moral.  Now if you are that good employee you are treated horribly.  The worst employees get the easiest jobs, and are in no way held accountable to the same expectations or standards. And what is the reward is the reward for doing a good job with pride? You get the hardest jobs and better yet.. when the worst employees don’t want to do their jobs? Yes you guessed it you get the privilege of doing your own job plus your own! Most  management are to the mind  it is a lot easier to make a good employee do more, than it is to make a lazy employee do well.. anything . There have been and are a lot of good supervisors there, but like the production employees, the good ones get either the same or worse treatment. If they try to discipline the bad workers, they get no support from HR.  Most of the supervisors that did  treat everyone equally and fairly have either been fired or have just gave up because they get no support . And it becomes easier for them to just to get the “workers “ to work. That wouldn’t even be so bad, but it is the same with plant rules. They only apply to the “workers” . So if you don’t want to work or do a good job then Vetra Plastics Peterborough is the place for you. On the other hand if you are the person who can do their job well and with pride while being treated like dirt while doing other peoples jobs. Seeing the same people not getting disciplined. Then run! In our plant some of our  Human Resource people need to be remind that we are human.  You get a lot more with respect and kindness.

a typical day depended on the department worked, assembly- would be quick production machine repair to continue line production, injection- would be quick mould and tool repair to allow continued production, paint line- robotic paint gun replacement, paint line and colour valve replacement and continual robotic paint gun repair and rebuild.  These jobs would occur on the day and afternoon shifts. On midnights we would preform all of the preventative maintenance and any major equipment and paint line repairs that could not be done during production through the day. 
Equipment rebuilds were an ongoing job whenever we had extra time.
I learned about injection moulding and robotics in the auto industry and was able to perfect my welding and design skills.
The management was generally helpful, although  some were not as knowledgeable as they should have been. 
My co-workers were very helpful as most of them had been there a lot longer than I had. They shared their knowledge and made working there a pleasant experience.
The hardest part of the job was the lack of communication between shifts and the lack of available new parts for rebuilds and repairs.
The most enjoyable part of the job was the relationship between the maintenance employees and the knowledge I acquired from my experience there and the people I meet. 

Ventra pays well and has good benefits. There's also a lot of overtime opportunity there usually. However, you may be forced to work some weekends (mandates) making it difficult to make and follow through with personal plans. Furthermore, they don't tell you about mandates until Thursday or Friday following the mandated weekend. 
It is unionized, so it's common to see lazy workers, or union members who don't care. Management doesn't show much care for their workers, and health and safety is commonly discarded. 
Unfortunately, things seems to be going downhill for this company. Management seems to be the biggest culprit for this, however, the economy and the closure of GM in Oshawa may also be playing a big role in it's current slow down. To top it off, there seems to be a growing divide between their workers and management.

A typical day at Ventra Plastics Peterborough invovled a steady work pace, I enjoyed my work there.
I learned quite a bit in my 8 years there, as there were many different departments to work in, I worked in several of these departments so i could be of a benefit to the company in times of being short staffed.
I am friendly and outgoing, i can get along with almost anyone, my co-workers at Ventra were pretty good for the most part.
The hardest part of the job (department based) was outside paint.
you had to unload car facias while the paintline was moving, depending on the day this would be the hardest job.
i enjoyed many of the departments there, I just like to work.

The pay is good, but the  people are lazy and the good employees are picked on by the supervisors to essentially pick up the slack. The lazy ones usually befriend the supervisors so they get away with slacking off.  Very hot in the summer, inadequate ventilation and cooling.  You're treated like a resource for the company, not a person.  You can't schedule time off without planning it a year in advance, and can be forced to work any Saturdays (mandated), so you sometimes see forced to cancel your weekend plans, regardless of off force already invested a large sum of money for it or not.  You can frequently be laid off with very little notice and be recalled any time.

I had a great time here. Their GM is nothing short of next level management. My time there is where I learned process improvement and leadership the most. I think about it fondly, and miss it often. 

If I were you, snag this job up, it's a good one. The people are fun, the union isnt tough to deal with. Great to grab experience, owned by Flex n Gate so there's room for advancement.

The company had some management issues, but they've corrected them and cleaned house. Give them a chance, it's an awesome experience with manufacturing minds that have been in the game a long time, and aren't shy in expediting that experience to your growth.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Do not think there is anything about place if your a dogger be well protected 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Whole environment there big on discrimination against disabilities  find you the door 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Hostile dirty  oils allover floors under machinery it's just dirty enough people walking around atleast they could do is clean

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Hide and seek for 40 aweek stressfull environment watching dfers and no discipline at all

Ventra Plastics has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to quality and innovation. My experience with them has been nothing short of impressive. The team's professionalism and attention to detail are evident in the high-quality plastic products they deliver. From design to production, Ventra Plastics showcases a dedication to excellence. Their customer service is outstanding, always responsive and eager to meet specific needs. I highly recommend Ventra Plastics for anyone seeking a reliable and top-notch plastic manufacturing partner.

At the time I worked there I was happy going to work every day. It felt like close net family rather than coworkers.having competent supervisors and even management they were great to work with I never had any issues there. The cons for working there way to many layoff  which meant shift bumping and also when you first start in the first few years I was off as much as I worked which really sucked especially be a single person. the pay really sucked .the union wasn’t the greatest at all 

I did a variety of things, something different every day, the biggest thing I learned was how to deal with upset employees and Union officials eg. calm employee down and try to get them to see the companies perspective.
I worked well with all my co-workers
The hardest part of the job  was also the most rewarding part of the job  is when I was able to satisfy an upset worker/Union official without compromising company policies or safety policies and the end result was no grievance.

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