Marvin: A window on the U.S. economy
November 20, 2011 at 4:28 pm in Grand Forks Herald
Company won’t issue bonuses due to slow housing market
Unlike competitors Andersen Windows and Pella Corp., Marvin Windows will not be laying off workers nor closing factories. Continue Reading
Remarkable story….the Marvin family could teach ACSC a thing or two about how to conduct business and how to treat your employees like human beings, not just a number on a piece of paper.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Is Marvin Window unionized?…..if not, may be one reason they’re a very ‘human’ company.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Apparently you believe as long as your employess belong to a union it is okay to treat them poorly. The lesson ACSC needs is one of diplomacy, humanity, and fair treatment of all your emloyees….not just your management team.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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No. I think Richard’s comment was a unionized shop is by definition a adversarial shop. For example, ACS can’t talk directly to its own employees. They are required to go through the union. The union’s reason for existing is to stop the abuses of management. Therefore, they have to be constantly finding “problems” or their reason for existing goes away.
You want this “human” relationship between the employer and the employee and the union needs grievances.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Exactly Mike, you hit the nail on the head!
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Doesn’t matter if they’re union or not really. They offered a bonus freeze for employees, a realistic look at Manages salaries, eliminating 401k contributions, reduction by not rehiring when someone retires, and other things. The only thing I could not see happening is shortening an ACS workweek, as the factories have to run 24/7 due to harvest and State limited time limits on processing beets (May 10 I believe).
The above listed things look very much like options ACS could pursue, and I think the Unions involved would work with them on it, as it’s both sides of the line making concessions, and not just one while the other pockets the difference.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Oh, and Marvin windows is not unionized, but incorporates profit sharing, which is an enticing option for many.
The ND State Mill is Unionized AND does profit sharing.
What it all boils down to is there are other options then the ones that were laid out on the table for the ACS Union workers.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Wow! People have been salivating for weeks on something to remind the Crystal Sugar union workers on how you misjudged how well off you expected you were supposed to be vs what your employer thought you were worth. Yes, if Marvin can’t give its employees the much cherished bonus, gee, maybe times are too tough for mostly everyone.
Except for the sugar workers?
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Good one Skate!
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Do the Marvins still get high school hockey players up to Warroad by offering their parents jobs?
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Do Marvin Windows employees share health insurance costs? Are advancements based on seniority only?
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This is about Marvin Window Co. Marvin’s has treated their employees right by spreading the cuts around. They have also asked managers and employees to take cuts. Why is that? Lots of reasons I’m sure, but among them- the Marvins live in Warroad. Their kids go to the same schools as everyone elses. It make a difference.
The other guys–they have all raised managers salaries and told their workers where to go.
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Marvin is a great company…They take care of their people.
I know several who work there and they all seem to love it!
They are very generous–support causes all over Warroad and Roseau county. Great people. Great company!
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Marvin is a great company. They go by the Golden Rule. When everybody sacrifices when times are tough the workers see that and understand. When times are good the Marvin’s spread it around-It’s really quite simple.
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Jeff. I agree with you. A great way to run a company. I think more companies should do this. Instead of layoffs, everyone shares in the pain during rough times and in good times, profit sharing bonuses for all.
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