Inside the city leader's office, Hou Baoguo solemnly reported the detailed situation to the leader.
"The current situation has resulted in a lack of workers at the Fourth Radio Factory. The remaining workers cannot support the operation of the factory, and it is not realistic to increase the number of workers," Hou Baoguo said to his superiors.
“I am aware of this difficulty. Has your bureau come up with a concrete plan to restore the No. 4 Factory to normal operation?” the city leader asked.
"There are two initial plans. The first plan is to merge it into the municipal machinery factory, since the two factories are right next to each other. However, the municipal machinery factory only wants the production equipment and land, and will leave the workers and retired employees with medical conditions to the municipal bureau." Hou Baoguo said, lighting a cigarette.
He took a drag and continued, "It's difficult for the bureau to take over and resettle employees who retire due to illness."
The city leaders shook their heads and said, "Li Haomin is only thinking about eating fatty meat. That won't do."
“At first, that was my thought too, but after learning more about it, I realized that the municipal machinery factory is a huge operation. It has seven or eight thousand employees, but less than half of them are actually working. These people have to support the entire factory! If we add more burden to them, it could very well drag them down.”
“You make a good point, please continue,” the city leader nodded and said.
"When the bureau was considering the second option, it took into account the reform plans of several other municipal enterprises." He flicked the ash from his cigarette and continued:
"Contract out the No. 4 Factory and let capable people lead it. Successful cases of the contracting system have been mentioned many times in China."
The city leader asked, "Do you have any candidates?"
"Not for now." Hou Baoguo shook his head and continued, "If the Municipal Machinery Factory wants the land of Factory No. 4, we can let them buy it and give Factory No. 4 a new piece of land. We can also ask the Machinery Factory to provide more money as start-up capital."
"How should employees who retire due to illness be handled?"
“No matter who contracts it, they all have to be affiliated with the Municipal Bureau. The Municipal Bureau holds shares but doesn’t participate in the operation. The management fees alone are simply not enough to cover the living and medical expenses of retired employees. Therefore, they demand dividends,” Hou Baoguo said.
"That's a good idea. We can think about more details. We need to ensure that the contractor can make a profit, and also guarantee the pensions of employees who have retired due to illness." The city leader made a few notes in his notebook.
With a worried tone, he said, "You're taking a gamble! If it goes wrong, your municipal bureau will have to support a hundred or so people. You must have a backup plan and be prepared for both possibilities."
Hou Baoguo spread his hands and said, "There's nothing we can do. If we don't do something, they'll have no food, no water, no money for medical treatment, and they'll come to us for an explanation."
The city leader nodded and said, "I will have the Organization Department select some candidates, and you should also compile a list and come up with a plan."
"We have a few candidates, but they are still under observation," Hou Baoguo said.
"Okay, you go back first, and come with me to the city machinery factory for an inspection in a couple of days."
"Okay, boss, you go ahead with your work. I'll report back to you if anything comes up." Hou Baoguo said, picking up his bag and saying goodbye before leaving.
The door was knocked on again and opened. The person who opened the door was the leader's secretary: "Mayor, Deputy Secretary-General Chang has something to report."
"Let him in," the leader said.
Director Hou had just reached the door with a smile when Secretary-General Chang walked in and saw Hou Baoguo at the door. He said, "Perfect timing. Don't leave yet. Take the documents back with you later, so I don't have to make the trip."
Hou Baoguo smiled and said, "Okay, Secretary-General Chang, I'll wait for you at the door."
"No need, you can just listen when I report to the leaders." With that, he walked towards the city leaders, holding a document in his hand.
"Mayor, this is a notice from the Provincial Foreign Affairs Office," Secretary-General Chang reported.
"Oh, are there foreign guests here?" the leader asked.
"Right after the Spring Festival, an imported piece of equipment at the municipal machinery factory broke down. Our technical skills are limited, so we couldn't repair it. We could only apply for and report to the manufacturer to come and fix it. And here they are." As he spoke, he placed the documents on the leader's desk.
When will you come?
"We've arrived in the capital and are expected to arrive the day after tomorrow morning," the Secretary-General said.
"I understand the situation. You need the city's cooperation to coordinate. We need to treat them well, showing the city's hospitality, but without being extravagant." He then signed the document.
He looked up at Hou Baoguo and said, "Old Hou, the task is now in your bureau's hands. Don't be careless." He then handed over the signed documents.
"Yes, I guarantee I will complete the mission." Hou Baoguo replied loudly, taking a few steps forward to take the documents.
Repair Department
Liu Quan heard Xing Baohua say that getting some aluminum alloy was really difficult. Even though this city had iron ore mines, steel mills, and aluminum plants, it didn't have any aluminum alloy plants.
He said to Xing Baohua, "Hua Zi, I don't know where to find aluminum alloy, but our factory does have a batch of stainless steel plates. I don't know how thick they are, so I'll have to go and take a look."
"0.5 to 1mm thick is fine; too thick and the whole set of equipment will be too heavy," Xing Baohua said.
"Then I'll go take another look. Anyway, it won't take too much material. I can just wrap it around my waist and bring it out." Liu Quan said and left.
After Liu Quan left, Xing Baohua walked up to Su Ya and asked, "Can you understand it?"
Su Ya placed the book between her legs, looked up, and said, "I don't understand it! Why did you even think of submitting it for publication?"
"I just write whatever comes to mind. You know how good I am." He said this jokingly.
Su Ya blushed instantly and quickly lowered her head. These words embarrassed her; she remembered how she had used someone's education and academic background as an excuse to reject them back at the factory club.
Looking at her current achievements, she felt a little embarrassed. Xing Baohua's words just now were clearly sarcastic. She panicked, her face turning even redder, and she dared not look at Xing Baohua. In her haste, she grabbed a magazine and threw it at Xing Baohua, saying, "You're so annoying!"
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