Production employees make the calls on whether or not to shut down machinery. If a new production machine is ordered, the future operator or operators of that equipment witness the making of that machine and undergo training at the manufacturer's plant. That way, when the machine is installed, they know right away how to run it and take care of it. I started here as an hourly employee. Most of the other members of the quality council started as hourly workers.
Management is in tune with the hourly worker, and vice versa.