Keith,
You make some very valid points and I appreciate your professionalism, one's pay is a direct result of what they bring to the table in all facets of the job, from fix it right, to efficient repair processes,hours turned, genuine empathy for our customers(they do sign our paychecks)and how they contribute to the overall success of the team. We need to stop looking at "flat rate hours" as the only component of one's value to the company. We (managers and employees) need to be focused on the continued growth of our business, both thru employee satisfaction AND customer satisfacting. All too many managers are focused on short term profit only, this clouds thier ability to make "right" choices in respect to pay, benefits and expectations of performance. The organization that rewards the individual (in this case, deisel techs)that helps acheive the company goals(to service and sell more vehicles and parts)will be the organizations to grow every month. We need to do what ever it takes to just maintain our customer base, because if we don't, Ford truck owners will switch to Dodge or Chevy and they will be lost forever.
Summing up, the value of a technician can not be determined just by hours turned, but how do they contribute to the overall continued growth of the dealership. By properly addressing the difficulties the 6.0 has presented, and by realizing that they pose a problem exempt from the normal flat rate process, our technicians can be rewarded instead of penalized, our business will grow and we will be paid pack with dividends.
I hope all goes well for you in the future... our task is not any easy one.
