The plant uses outside labor to do assembly chores that are done in-house in U.S. factories. The new method is coming to North America, potentially setting the stage for labor strife. Risk Efficiency drives cause shop floor stress and labor unrest. LIFE ON THE LINE orking on the assembly line has changed in the past 20 years, and will continue to change in the decade ahead. 1978 Line is regulated by complex and rigid job classifications, titles, qualifications.
Workers have little input in way jobs are arranged.
Squads of inspectors are responsible for quality. Workers regularly consulted by manufacturing engineers on best way to set up job stations. Multi-discipline training is common, including such things as computer skills, conflict resolution and even world economics. In addition to working in teams to meet production and quality goals, automakers will use compensation to motivate employees to meet team objectives. Plant workers will rotate among jobs more often to reduce injuries from repetitive motions.