Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/190260
more likely to have received a raise than those working only 40 hours each week. Survey participants reported working 14 years on average for their current employer, with the longest tenure being 42 years. Unlike previous years, experience appeared to have a significant impact on salary, as those workers with less than 10 years of experience in lubrication-related work earned 16 percent less than those with more experience. In addition, those with 20 or more years of experience took home almost $15,000 more per year on average than their less experienced colleagues. Job Security/Satisfaction The number of lubrication professionals who believe they are fairly compensated and are satisfied with their jobs increased in 2013 to almost 75 percent. Workers in the chemicals and power generation industries were the most satisfied with their jobs, while those in machinery manufacturing, paper and food processing were among the least satisfied. The factors most contributing to job satisfaction included challenge and stimulation, work environment/culture, and salary and benefits. When asked what they disliked most about their jobs, most survey participants cited lack of management support, lack of recognition or the hours and workload. "Our management does not think about the effect its decisions have on the health of the equipment," complained one respondent. "They always want to wait to perform the maintenance/PMs until the equipment needs repair instead." Workers in the Southwest were the most likely to believe they are fairly compensated, as opposed to those in the Northeast, who were the least likely to feel their compensation was fair. Eighty-six percent of survey takers considered their jobs secure, which was an increase of 5 percent from 2012. Although less than 10 percent of respondents anticipate lubrication-related jobs being added at their organization in 2014, almost two-thirds do not expect any jobs to be lost. 2014 Forecast Survey participants were also not quite as optimistic with regards to how they expect their salary to change in the coming year, with only 66 percent anticipating an increase in 2014, which was a 2-percent drop from 2012. Almost one-third of respondents expect their salary to remain the same, while only 3 percent fear a decrease in compensation. Workers in the Southeast and in the power generation industry were the most optimistic with regards to their salaries in 2014, while those in the Midwest and in the primary metals and manufacturing industries were less optimistic. Among the greatest concerns lubrication professionals have for the coming year include the aging workforce and the lack of training. "My greatest concern is whether the company will be able to continue to operate as lean with the small number of craftsmen and be able to maintain all the equipment," wrote one survey respondent. "Staffing levels have been reduced the last two years in addition to higher retirement levels due to the older workforce," added another survey participant. "A lot of experience is gone!" Others expressed concerns about the economy and farreaching government regulations. "I work at a coal-fired facility," noted one survey taker. "A sluggish economy, uncertain environmental policies and low natural gas prices limit our generation output. This situation may force my company to use me and my co-workers as regional assets. This change would incur a lot of travel between facilities and general uncertainty." "Extremist environmentalist groups are forcing their unsubstantiated climate-change agenda on the uninformed and apathetic American energy consumer, along with onerous regulations being forced on energy-producing companies," remarked another lubrication professional. Respondents were also worried about the welfare of their companies, with the greatest threats identified as global competition, poor management, lack of innovation, environmental regulations, lack of experienced personnel, and cost and availability of raw materials. "Not wanting to move into the 21st century," replied one survey participant when asked about the greatest threat his company faced. "This is the way we have been doing it for 30-plus years." "Clients are trending toward lower price rather than toward value-driven lubricants," said another survey respondent. "My company just filed bankruptcy, so I don't know if it will survive," wrote another worker. For additional survey results or to participate in the next Machinery Lubrication poll, go to www.MachineryLubrication.com. www.machinerylubrication.com | September - October 2013 37