The idea of labor and management working together for one common goal and actually liking each other is one of those great concepts that rarely work.  In most cases the two work begrudgingly together to achieve the same end.  However when it comes to management working with organized labor the field gets even muddier and in most cases the relationship is adversarial.

   This is not the case at Metro Ford in Independence. Located on Nolan Road the dealership has long been owned and operated by Bob Hewlett, Sr. and operated in a fashion that goes totally against the stereotypical car dealership.  “Bob Hewlett, Sr. is a very personable and compassionate man,” stated Corey Thompson, Metro Ford General Manager, “that echoes down through his son.  They are not trying to get rich quick.  They take care of their families and the 80 families that work here at the dealership. That is why they have been around since 1978.”

   There are 35 total union members at the dealership comprised of members of Machinists Lodge 778 and Teamsters Local 41.  Jerry Jensen has been a Machinist at the dealership for 27 years.  He specializes in steering suspension and brakes.  He is married and has 3 older children. “We are truly specialists here.  We are going to fix it right the first time.  Experience and length of service are a major reason why people keep coming back,” Jensen added.  “Unlike other dealerships who are very aggressive in their repairs we understand the importance of honesty.  We do not over-repair.”

  Cory Thompson, the General Manager started at the dealership in 1986 as a porter.  He worked his way up at the dealership like many of the current managers in place.  Like many of the other employees I am here because Mr. Hewlett believes in a family first organization.  If an employee’s personal life is affected they will not be able to their job as well.  We make sure they take care of their family first. Get rid of the roadblocks and then get back to work,” Thompson said.  “We genuinely care about the people that work here.  Our mission statement is “It’s the dealer that makes the difference.”  That is definitely the case here.  Once people do business with us they come back again and again.”

 Sam Scheffler is a 15-year employee and a member of Machinists Local 778. He specializes in drivability, diagnostics and engine run diagnostics.  “When I started working here I had the feeling I might be here for a while.  Everyone seemed to stay for a long time.  I met Jerry early and saw that he had been here for so many years as had many of the other guys.  That is unusual in this business,” Scheffler said.  “We are like a team here, we pull together to get things done when we have to.  There is a lot of bonding.”

 The union contract at Metro Ford is more of a blessing than a curse to the management believe it or not.  Brent Davidson, Parts Manager started sweeping floors in 1993 at the dealership.  “The contract has set the guidelines for everyone. Management as well as labor. It’s nice, everyone works under the same rules and we all go by the contract.  There is no grey matter.”

    Steve Vaughan has worked at the dealership for over 8 years and has tasted the other side.  “I came from a non-union dealership.  This dealership was closer and the management treated me very well.  I like this dealership because they reward honesty.  There is even a clause in the contract that states you can be fired if you are caught lying to a customer.”

   Kevin Miller has been at the dealership for 23 years and is a journeyman painter and a member of Machinists Local 778. His dad was a union worker for the railroad and agrees with Steve.  “I worked non-union and learned quickly there is no job security. We have a guaranteed wage here.  At the non-union dealership if I worked 15 hours I got paid for 15 hours.  They know I am a hard worker and they appreciate it.” Miller concluded with,  “I just really enjoy what I do and this is a great place to do it.”

 James Newsome is the senior worker at the dealership. For 31 years James has toiled as a body worker at the dealership.  “I love doing body work,” James stated.  “I do it after work as a hobby.”  Workers at the dealership have a lot of respect for James, who is an ordained minister.  He is one of those quite leaders that everyone respects.  “We are like a tight knit family here.  I get along with management and believe they are very fair with us.”

   It really is quite incredible the length of time employees stay at the dealership.  But that is not surprising when you look at how tenured the management staff is.  Corey Thompson the general manager has worked for the dealership for 22 years. Brent Davidson the service manager has worked at the dealership 16 years. Parts manager Brian Ofiek has been a mainstay at the dealership for over 30 years. And John Stenvall the after market manager has been on the job for 21 years.  Impressive for any company.

 The bottom line here is this company deserves your patronage.  Management does things the right way, with a union contract.  Employees like their jobs, which translate to an effective work environment. They are expertly trained and management cares about their employees.  The general manager also insists that any union member that comes in and shows his or her union card will get preferential treatment.  If you are in the car-buying mode at least give these guys a chance.  If not for the management, do it for the employees.