A firm but fair ‘big boss’

The most challenging supervisory job in my 35 years in the world of work was that of production superintendent at Republic Rubber Division. It was a 41/2-year stint from March 1967 to September 1971. When the notice was posted that I was the new superintendent, the vice president of the union, instead of congratulating me, said that I would last six months.

My father Giovanni (John) Lacivita was a strong union person, but I was never in a union. A union person has a sense of security, while a nonunion one has none. The third day I was on the job, the entire plant of about 1,000 bargaining-unit employees walked off the job.

Grievances

The first year on the job, I had to answer 108 grievances. My first run-in with a union official after the three-day strike was in my office. He came barging in and said he would get me. I replied, “The Japanese kamikazes (suicide) planes didn’t get me, and neither will you.”

Another time some of the employees finished work early and were reading magazines instead of cleaning up their work area. I visited all the work stations and collected the magazines and put them in my office. The thorn-in-my-side union vice president walked in to reclaim the magazines. I told him, “If you take them, I will issue you a reprimand right on the spot.” He never touched them and walked out muttering.

Most of my department’s 375 employees were top notch. One of the best cried when I left. Other incidents that stand out were finding a dead mouse in my office mailbox and a six-pack of beer on my desk. I told my boss about the beer and he asked me if I liked beer and I said, “Yes.” He replied, “Then take the Bud home and drink it.”

As the years went by, the situation mellowed. Finally, I received an anonymous call one evening from an employee and he said he was coming to my home to get me. I said, “Please do, since my Westie dog will greet you at the door to bite your butt.” He never showed up. My legacy was that of an FBF (firm but fair) big boss.

Michael J. Lacivita is a Youngstown retiree and member of the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame.