“Ann, is there any room for negotiation on the cost of the BARD? Mac asked.
“Not much. We would have to pay twenty-five million at the signing of the contract. The next twenty-five would be due when we send the five operators to watch the final assembly and to learn how to operate it. The third payment is upon delivery and setup of the machine. Their technicians will be on hand for the first week to make sure everything is operating correctly. Once we sign off, we pay the last twenty-five million,” Ann informed them.
Everyone sat deep in thought. One hundred million dollars was a hell of a lot to pay for one piece of equipment that had never been tested. Finally Paul broke the silence.
“Look, we know the machine is operated by remote control. No real safety issues need to be factored in to the equation. This one machine can do the whole operation of three shifts of regular workers. The payback is what Ann?”
“Forty-three months,” she said.
“Forty-three months. That’s a hell of a payback. No insurance, workers comp, Social Security, or anything else to deal with. It can’t go on strike or stage a walkout. For me it’s clear cut. We buy the thing. The sooner the better,” Paul told them.
“Which you have neglected to mention,” Barney added.
“Neglected? What are you talking about?”
“The workers. How do you think they are going to take this? They will see it as a threat to their job security,” Barney said.
“Why would they? This is a brand new operation. The other three mines would continue to operate as they always have,” Paul said.
“They will think you are trying to find a way to replace them. If this machine does as advertised they will see it as a direct threat. You mark my words.”
“Mac. What do you think?”
“It is certainly a possibility. You know how skittish they are. Once a rumor gets started it will sweep through them like wildfire. Barney is right to some extent, they will feel insecure.”
“Then we just have to tell them what we are going to do and make sure they understand this is just a test. We have to assure them that it will not endanger their jobs.”
“Easier said than done,” Barney replied.
“Maybe so, but that’s what we have to do.”
“So are you saying we are going to go ahead and purchase the BARD?”
“Yes, we need to do this to grow and be a state of the art facility. Mac, you can tell them that I am ready to sign and pay the initial deposit.”
“You’re sure? Once we sign we will be on the hook. You don’t want to wait and talk it over with the workers in advance?” Mac replied.
“Before or after makes no difference. We just need to explain it so they understand,” Paul answered.
“Good luck with that,” Barney replied.
CHAPTER TWO
When the day came to sign the contract for the RC-BARD-P1 as it was officially designated, standing for Remote Controlled Boring Auger and Reclamation Drill Prototype 1, Paul was suddenly apprehensive. One hundred million dollars was a lot to shell out on a gamble.
“Look honey, you made your decision. You did it with all of the information and facts available. You have been talking about it for how long?”
“Seven months.”
“For seven long months. That is pretty much all you have talked about, even with me,” Laura, his wife of ten years said.
“I didn’t bring it up once last night,” he said with a sly grin.
“Yes, and it is a darn good thing you didn’t she replied,” blushing.
“You’re right. It’s a little late to back out now. It wouldn’t do the company’s reputation any good,” he acknowledged.
“Or yours. Barney would never let you live it down if you did.”
“Now Laura. Barney plays devil’s advocate from time to time but that’s a good thing. I don’t want everyone waiting for me to say ‘yes’ so they can jump on board. Barney does just what an Executive Vice President is supposed to do.”
“Yes dear,” she replied.
“Stop it you scamp. You are definitely not a ‘yes’ woman.”
“I was last night,” she said and scooted out of reach.
“You are a very bad girl Lauren Miller.”
“Thank you sir, I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said seductively.
“I would chase you down and give you a spanking if I didn’t have to run.”
“I’ll be here when you get home,” she said tauntingly.
He shook his head, grabbed up his briefcase and put his coat over his arm.
“Don’t forget we are all going out to celebrate spending all that money. I’ll be home around six.”
“I’ll be ready and waiting. Paul, don’t worry about this. You are doing the right thing. If that machine lives up to half of what they say it can do, you will be way ahead. Sign the papers and get on with the next phase.”
“Good advice woman. I will now go conquer the might BARD.”
“My hero,” she said batting her eyes.
The signing went smoothly. A few signatures here and there and handing over twenty-five million dollars and it was done. Paul felt both apprehensive and relieved at the same time. Now at least they could move on to the next phase of opening the new operation.
After the initial excitement, things pretty much went back to normal. Mac spent most of his time on site where the new mine was to be opened. The critical first stage was a delicate operation and exactly how the new machine would function was still somewhat of a mystery.
While Mac was dealing with the startup phase Barney was answering questions from the workers. They were part of the UMWA, United Mine Workers of America. Their major concern was what this meant to their jobs. It was up to Barney to calm them and make sure they understood that it did not represent a threat to job security.
It was met with a great deal of skepticism. On top of that the MSHA was coming to do a site inspection of the three operating mines. The Mining Safety Health Administration has a great deal of power concerning the ongoing operations. Safety violations are often harshly fined and if the mine is considered dangerous enough, they can order it shut down.
Paul and the rest of the administration were not really concerned with the MSHA inspections. They had an excellent safety record and had recently upgraded the water sprayer system to keep float coal accumulation lower than current regulations called for. Since they had been in operation MSHA had only issued four violation notices. Some of the other mines in the area had over a hundred violations in a single year.
All things considered Paul was confident that the mine was operating at peak efficiency. He had always been concerned about the safety of the miners. Perhaps it was because he had been required to work right alongside the other men that he had such a strong safety conscience.
Paul had always maintained an open door policy for any of the foremen who believed that safety was being jeopardized. Many mines operate under just the opposite philosophy. They don’t want to know about it and the philosophy is work or get another job. Paul felt that a policy of taking care of the workers first would actually pay off in the long run. He had been right.
CHAPTER THREE
When the second installment on the BARD was paid it was then time to send the five people who would initially operate the machine from the control booth that had been constructed.
Erin Lake, Sally Strong, Billy Myers, and Tommy Perkins would undergo training where the BARD was being assembled. Daren was already on site and had taken part in the actual design. While he wouldn’t do much of the actual operating of the machine, as COO he had to know how it worked inside and out.