I have been out of the industry for over a year now folks and let me tell you the grass is greener. If you are being abused by your employer now is a good time make a move. If you have been in the business a while you won't be turned down for any mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic work. Don't let this economy scare you there is always work for us common folk who aren't afraid to get our hands dirty. I now hold a salary job with paid overtime mainly mechanical work and the pay is just as good. I'll never touch the material handling industry again, there are better jobs for more or equal pay. If you have been in it for more than five years you have probably reached you plateau and your not going to be getting those one dollar raises anymore. So open your potential and see whats out their.
Just face it this industry won't get better if you keep turning your cheek every time upper management takes a benefit away, omits the Christmas party / employee picnic, or demands you work longer for less pay. The best way to show your company they need to make a change for the better is to take that better job.