This sounds like the system that was in place when I was a directory assistance operator in '73.  Even then the company had the ability to see when you came to work, ready to work by plugging into the board.  Yes, you were tardy if you weren't plugged in taking calls at the start of your shift, at the end of your break... the load dictated the number of people who had to available.  Having calls in queue was forbidden, because that meant people weren't being served when they needed service.  It may seem extremely anal on the part of the company to do something like this, but it came about because far too many customers are waiting, there were a few employees who abused their start, break and lunch times, remembering to return on time.  They are squeezing as much cost out of the business as possible to the point of ridiculous, shifting costs on a variety of things, ie health insurance.  But the health insurance issue was well publicized during contract negotiations, not just once, but twice.  Nothing change from the first offer to the second go round and it was ratified.  Collectively, we have agreed to that cost shift.    With the increase in healthcare costs, gas, etc. this contract provided no real increase in wages.  The monitoring of all employee activities and how they choose to deal with the results will probably end up costing them more money than what they'll save.  Work smart.  Make sure you have a steward present at any and all discussions around productivity, attendance (tardies), performance... any issue.  Preface any request by your manager with "Will or could anything we talk about be used for disciplinary action?"  If the answer is yes, ask for a steward and let them know when the steward is present then you'll have the meeting.  Weingarten, Weingarten, Weingarten.  Then file the grievances.  Keep statement of occurance forms at your desk so you can fill them out.  Every member of your crew ought to have at least two or three blank ones.  Again, fill them out and file them with your nearest steward.  Get the tracking numbers and follow their progress.  These actions will end up costing the company more in lost time and wages than they ever dreamt of.  Use your union to get the results you want and need.