Volume 1: Against the Tide Chapter 53: Meng Lin's Layoff

  Chapter 53: Meng Lin's Layoff

  Cao Dapeng is the Party Secretary of Xin'an Machinery Factory and also the leader of this round of layoffs and efficiency improvement. He is fully responsible for the work of laying off and reassigning employees. In other words, Cao Dapeng has the final say in who gets laid off and who stays on among the first batch of employees to be affected - those working in the administrative organs of Xin'an Machinery Factory.

  However, this seems to be in control, but actually it's not a good thing, because you have to offend people.

  State-owned enterprises implement the factory director (manager) responsibility system, and the party secretary is in charge of party affairs, spiritual civilization construction, and ideological and political work. The provincial machinery industry bureau leadership appointed Cao Dapeng to preside over the personnel reduction work, although Cao Dapeng was reluctant, he had no choice but to take on the task.

  The plan to lay off employees had been in place two months ago, and the factory party committee held two special meetings to study and deploy it. There was already a plan for who would be laid off and who would stay, and how many people each department would retain.

  In order to minimize the fluctuation of employees' thoughts and avoid chaos, the factory leadership decided to take the lead in cutting off old employees. Those who have reached the formal retirement age will be retired, and those who are not yet at that point will be forced to leave their posts early with a little compensation. Of course, in specific operations, it is also necessary to take care of relationship households.

  In other words, older workers and those without connections or backing are the first to be laid off.

  Meng Lin is an old employee of the factory's financial department, having worked as a cashier for over 20 years, being diligent and having strong business skills.

  This morning, the factory held a mobilization meeting to announce the downsizing and restructuring plan, as well as the personnel competition for positions. According to the plan, Meng Lin's finance department can only keep 6 people, excluding the head and deputy head of the department. In the finance department, Meng Lin is the oldest, while others are mostly in their thirties or young newcomers who have joined the factory in recent years.

  So when Meng Lin saw the plan in the factory, he felt a chill in his heart and knew that his fate of being laid off was hard to reverse.

  She is still two or three years away from formal retirement, and receiving some compensation would be a decent way to go. However, she considered that her son had just started working and was about to face the challenges of starting a family and career, which required spending money on everything. If she were to lose her job and income, the family's financial situation would become even more difficult.

  So she still plucked up her courage and ran to Cao Dapeng's office, begging him if it was possible to postpone her retirement for two years.

  Cao Dapeng would not agree, first because Meng Lin's current situation is already set in stone, she belongs to the category of people who will definitely be laid off; secondly, Meng Lin is a widow with no background, he doesn't need to stick his neck out for her.

  Cao Dapeng impatiently and formally briefed Meng Lin on the factory's policies, making his attitude clear. At the same time, he pointed out that as an old comrade and party member like Meng Lin, he should actively respond to the party committee's call and take the lead in leaving his post for ordinary old workers.

  What's the point of talking about the big picture, Cao Dapeng went on and on. Meng Lin saw that things were already beyond repair, although he was disappointed in his heart, but still gritted his teeth and accepted it, agreeing to leave his post.

  Meng Lin was thinking about how to find another job after being laid off, and saving some money for her son's future marriage, while on her way back home. When she arrived home, she saw that her son had already prepared dinner, waiting for her to eat, and her eyes turned red as tears almost fell.

  All these years, the spiritual pillar that supported her was her son's obedience, understanding and growth. The mother and son relied on each other to get through the most difficult times. But as a mother, she couldn't provide her son with a rich economic condition, and even thinking about not being able to afford her son's wedding in the future made her feel extremely sad and guilty.

  Seeing his mother's expression was off, Peng Yuanzheng was shocked. He grabbed Meng Lin's hand and hastily asked, "Mom, what's wrong? Has something happened?"

  Meng Linxiu's eyes, which were beautifully painted with obvious fish-tail patterns, rolled down two glittering tears. She turned her head away and said gloomily, "Far expedition, Mom is useless, Mom has been laid off..."

  Peng Yuanzheng let out a sigh of relief and also felt relieved.

  He thought it was just a matter of being laid off - Xian'an Machinery Factory was no different from other state-owned enterprises in the country, and the nationwide wave of layoffs could not be avoided. At his mother's age, being laid off was almost inevitable.

  "Mom, isn't it just being laid off? What's there to be sad about! I've always said you're old enough, and should have retired long ago to enjoy life. Don't worry, I'm already working, and besides, I have other ways of making money. From now on, just relax at home, go out and dance or exercise when you're free, everything will be taken care of by me!"

  Peng Yuanzheng held his mother's hand and comforted her in a soft voice.

  Meng Lin sighed, "Son, mom is still young, how can she just idle around like this. Forget it, being laid off is the trend of the times, and it's not just me, I've accepted it. In a couple of days, mom will go out and find another job."

  "Mom, I strongly object! You just stay at home and enjoy your life, let me take care of making money! Besides, our family doesn't have any big expenses, my salary is enough for the two of us to spend."

  Meng Lin heard his son's determination and filial piety, smiled with relief, although he had his own views in his heart, but did not "sing a counterpoint" with his son again.

  ……

  ……

  The next morning, the autumn wind howled and rose, and the yellow leaves danced in the sky on the road, but it was drizzling with a bit of chill. Xin'an City is a northern city, and when entering the deep autumn season, the temperature is very low, probably around 7 or 8 degrees above zero.

  After her son went to work, Meng Lin wrapped up in a windbreaker and went to the factory's office to collect things and handle procedures. She was a very reserved and self-respecting woman, with a natural pride deep down, and since she had already decided to leave her post, she would absolutely not drag things out or let her leaders and colleagues look down on her.

  But when she arrived at the office in the factory, she suddenly realized that she seemed to have been cheated.

  It was said that the finance department only kept six employees, but in just one night, she hadn't even finished the formalities of leaving her post, and a new person had already arrived at the finance department. The original supply and marketing department's old man Sun had moved his things into the finance department office, waiting for Meng Lin to leave before taking over immediately.

  Although Da Lao Sun is 4 or 5 years younger than Meng Lin, he should also be on the list of layoffs. Since others have not been laid off, but have been transferred from supply and sales to finance under the name of diversion, it means that they have someone behind them and have done their job.

  Meng Lin was extremely angry.

  Went to the office of Director Li of the Finance Department to discuss, but Director Li was also speechless, only saying that this was arranged by the leadership and if she had any opinions, she should go find Secretary Cao.

  Meng Lin went to Cao Dapeng's office. When she rushed to Cao Dapeng's office, Cao Dapeng was smiling and chatting on the phone with someone, judging from his expression and demeanor, it was estimated that 80% of the call was a plea for a certain employee from a superior.

  The factory is going to lay off workers, and naturally everyone is worried. It's also a time for people to show their skills. Those with connections immediately started making calls, while those without connections could only sit and wait for their fate to be decided. From yesterday afternoon onwards, Cao Dapeng's office phone has been ringing non-stop. Cao Dapeng pushed some people away and placated others, but in the end, he still had to give face to some people with strong connections.

  Dà Lǎo Sūn was one of them. A certain vice mayor in the city specially called to plead her case, and after some thought, Cáo Dà Péng agreed.

  "Secretary Cao!" Meng Lin said softly.

  As soon as Cao Dapeng saw Meng Lin, his face immediately turned gloomy. He raised his head to look at Meng Lin with some impatience and said faintly, "Comrade Meng Lin, I had a formal talk with you on behalf of the factory party committee yesterday. Downsizing and efficiency are not just something our factory needs to do, but also a nationwide effort; moreover, older comrades will be laid off first, which is also a decision made by the factory party committee. As a party member and an old comrade, you can't lead the way in disobeying the party committee's decisions!"