Montana labor news., 1948-06-24
BRITAIN SEARCHES FOR WAYS TO GET
MORE PRODUCTION


have devised interesting and success
full ways Of making essential facts
known. creating an atmosphere of en-
~liehtenment and confidence. Thirdly,
all firms miehf like TO know what
these active firms are doing so that
the various IDEAS and schemes can be
adapted and applied.
The Trades Union Congress. the
Federation of British Industries. and
have all commended Target" and its
purpose. Further. they underline the
point made by Sir Stafford Cripps
that works information is essentially
Il subject for joint consultation be-
tween management and workpeople.
indeed, one Of the main purposes
behind the drive for better works in
formation is to revive the joint on
sultaiion committee, which played
such an important part in raising the
level OF war production. Interest in
these committees faded when vast
government orders and planned out
put were followed after World War
II by the more normal pattern of in
dustry and commerce.
Most of the firms whose schemes OF
works information are described in
the bulletin have successfully con
tinued joint consultation in the post,
war years. The approach to works in
formation varies widely from firm tC
firm. The firm of Dunlop. the noted
tire and rubber manufacturers. has
successfully used a series of posters
showing how much bread. meat. but
ter and how many eggs can be bought
overseas with the proceeds of each
tire. pair Of rubber boots. golf ball
and other articles it manufactures
which are exported. Aston Chain
and Hook Co. OF Birmingham. pro
dicers of rolled .and drawn nonfer
rous metals. staged a special eXhibi
ton for the workers and their fam
lies to answer the question. What
happens TO the bits and pieces | turn
OUT" There are clubs formed within
factories for the purpose of enabling
workers to demonstrate their keen
ness in the production drive. There
are inter departmental competitive
devices linked up with the davoritt
Snort Of greyhound racing. with suit
able prizes. There are elaborate sys
$500. - ,.,,;,t;, c,,. ,.,v1-. ,nn
~sultation which build up esprit de
corps.
One Of the most Interesting achieve
ments has been that of the Tube IL
vestments Group Of companies. Time
study methods. because of their crude
application in many cases in the in
iter-war years, aroused the resentment
Of Britain's workers and became heav
lily discredited. by obtaining the full
cooperation of the workers from the
outset. however. this organization
has carried through smoothly the ap
rlication Of controls and works meas
ductiyity in some cases by as much
rs 90 per cent. Operatives elected by
their fellow workers We're actually
drawn into the work OF carrying
through the reorganization.
While Target was. on its way t(
factories IN all parts of Britain. the
Trades Union Congress issued a leaf
let for its members asking 10 ques
lions about increased production-ant
supplying the answers. The angle is
very similar.
Does higher output call for harder
manual work? Not necessarily. says
the TUG. 1T means using our head.
to prevent waste Of all sorts-wastt
Of labor. time. material. fuel ant
power The leaflet calls attention
to the high ate of labor turnover il
many factories and the wasted effor
this implies. 1t asks, "How far de
Won walk after You get to work. ant
point the moral Of better layout Will
i telling example.
Tie leaflet draws attention to thu
possibility Of inflated overhead
Il tlid1EtS anu tIlt udHScl VI wv IISl
u proportion of non-productive work
ers due to "fads" and systems.
1t goes on 10 outline remedies, will
all the emphasis on joint consultation
in the factories. 1t urges trade un
} ionists to take the initiative in press
ing for the setting up or effective
: joint production committees in tn
places where they work.
: Some workers attribute this up
surge Of trade union interest in tn,
technical aspects of industrial eff
= cheney partly to the government.
/. wages policy. Supported by a major
itv Of Britain's trade union move
ment, the government has set il
! face against any general increase il