It's been a long time ago now, but when I started working at a factory @ 18 yrs old for winter time job, I was amazed. I couldn't believe they were paying me an unheard of sum of nearly $4 per hr, plus paid me more for working evening shift! It was warm inside the building while it was -20F outside. It was dry inside while it was pouring out. You actually didn't know whether it was snowing or not until you went outside. Didn't have to fight the elements. You didn't have to wear boots, coveralls, or heavy gloves. Only requirement was safety glasses which took a little getting used to since I didn't wear glasses. You always started & quit at the same time. You knew exactly what time lunch was going to be. You actually got a break and didn't have to eat/drink while working. It was clean....not dirt/chaff or stink blowing at you every which way. There were hundreds of other people to talk to, not just 2. Again, I found it hard to believe the "huge" money they were paying me compared to shoveling corn, driving a truck, or other general farm work. That...plus you could still come home & do the farm work @ 0600 the next morning! Then, you also met some of the older guys that were going to be doing something unknown to most farm folks.....they called it "retirement". I never grasped that concept. They had another concept I hadn't been involved in before....it was called "seniority". After you had been there a while & proved your abilities, you could be moved up to easier or more productive jobs. Another non-farming concept. 

So, what some saw as a negatives working in a factory, I saw as positives. We were in a union factory. Hard to believe we were in "Aerospace Union Workers" facility. We built garden tractors & tables, and other garden equipment. I had 0.0 contact with union any benefits, if any. All I knew is that after 2 weeks, you were automatically in the union, or you could go somewhere else & work. They took money out of our paycheck & did something with it. Not sure what though. All I knew is this seemed like a dream. But....you did work hard. Luckily that was nothing new. 

I've toured the JD factories. Nice people & nice places to work. Their conditions seem so much nicer than those I worked in 55 yrs ago. But, I understand it's still not desirable for all.

The factory I & thousands of other locals is gone now, so is the main customer....Sears.