Boy is running production harder than it may sound to a mold maker. I tried my hand in a production shop once, didn't work out to well for me.
For some reason I feel the need to clarify that the union I am currently have this issue with is not the IAM, while I still don't care much for the IAM for political reasons, I do not know them to be the legalized mafia that is the union in question is.
It is good to here that your shop is training apprentices. My shop does not have the patience for it. To get on, one best already know G code well, have the ability to read blueprints, and own your own tools. That is not uncommon these days. (I guess you could say, we all paid our dues up front, in the form of a big check to a certain college.)
Speaking of owning your own tools, I have had a hell of a bad luck streak with my interapid indicators dieing, do you have an alternate preference?
I never meant to belittle your education, work ethic, or pay. I do believe, and I could be wrong, you said you were overpaid, a few posts ago. If you make a good wage, good for you, I have no problem with that. In my case, if I was to attempt to compel my boss that I should be paid a great deal more than I am now, It would necessarily effect my long term job stability. I fear that is true for all American machinists, as China and other countries are catching up with the technology that is my toe hold to out produce them.