Automation poses challenge to unions
1987Brenda Bishop 1987-04Read it in the scan (PDF at ETOL), page 16 →
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Where To Find Us Socialist Action Forums SOCIALIST ACTION APRIL 1987 15 Detroit Socialist P.O. Box 19613 Detroit, MI 48219 Grand Rapids Socialist Action P.O. Box 3505 Grand Rapids, MI 49501 Los Angoles Socialist P.O. Box 60605 Terminal Annex Los Angeles, CA 90060 (213) 250-4608 Minnoapolis Socialist P.O. Box 14087 Dinkeytown Station Minneapolis, MN 55414 alization leading to a near-automation of the production and distribution sectors.
As might be expected, labor-intensive industries such as the automobile giants are avidly pursuing what is known as Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM). Ford Motor, for example, has signed an agreement with Measurex Corp. to automate both the body and assembly lines of new cars and trucks.
General Motors has at present 40,000 "intelligent devices," but only 15 percent can communicate with a central computer. By 1990, using CIM, it hopes to eliminate the present computer Tower of Babel and consolidate operations under one system.
The Arthur D. Little Corporation esti -mated that, in 1985 alone, U.S. industry would spend $33.4 billion on CIM with a Now York Socialist Action P.O. Box 20209 Ca. Finance 693 Columbus Ave.
New York, NY 10025 Phoenix Socialist Action P.O. Box 5161 Phoenix, AZ 85010 (602) 263-5190 San Francisco Socialist Action 3435 Army St., Suite 308 San Francisco, CA 94110 (415) 821-0458 projected growth rate of 15 percent per year.
The projected development of CIM occurs in three stages. First are islands of automation. Second are fully commun -icable circuitry. And third is full automation from parts ordering and inventory to product delivery and follow-through. At present, fully 75 percent of U.S. manufacturing corporations are already at stage one, 25 percent are at stage two, and none (so far) are at stage three.
Unsold products?
Increases in productivity and even automation should lead to a shorter work week and a higher standard of living. But the reality under capitalism will mean layoffs and unemployment.
The CIM conception beautifully illustrates one of the contradictions of capitalism. Every capitalist knows that to sell products at a profit requires that working people have enough buying power to purchase the products.
Cincinnati "The Socialist Struggle for a World Without Wars"
Hear: Carl Finamore, Socialist Action Nat'l Cttee April 8: Univ. of Cincinnat April 9: Xavier University April 10: Oxford, Ohio For exact times and places call: 272-2596 The Struggle of the Palestinian People"
Hear: Ralph Schoenman, author of "Prisoners of Israel" Other speakers to be announced.
Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. ILGWU Hall, 675 Parkview For more info: call 250-4608 Yet, individually, capitalists strive to restrict the number of workers and the wages at their particular company. The ultimate result of CIM would be lots of unsold products and an incurable economic depression.
The working class faces the need to energetically respond to such a development.
Various trade-union locals throughout the country have already called for a shorter work week and the elimination of overtime to create jobs. For example, Local 217 of the United Auto Workers Union in Cleveland, Ohio, explained in a 1975 leaflet that 44,860 jobs would be created in the Greater Cleveland area in basic industry if the work week were cut to 38 hours and overtime were eliminated.
But the demand for a shorter week must be linked to the demand for no cut in pay. Workers should not be made to pay for the unemployment and austerity caused by capitalism. Full employment and decent living conditions must be guaranteed for all.
The trade unions will have to wage a fight for a shorter work week at the same pay and control over the new technologies at the workplace!
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NEW YORK-On Feb. 26, police officer Stephen Sullivan was acquitted of all criminal charges in the Eleanor Bumpurs case.
Over two years ago, Eleanor Bumpurs, a 66-year-old disabled Black woman, was shot to death by Sullivan while being SociAList Action organized has been thwarted, but use of the tactic has been limited.
The Coalition recognizes that only mass organization and agitation will be effective in securing a city-wide moratorium. Hence, it is publicizing the eviction watch and conducting training sessions in hopes of spreading the tactic more widely. Eventual-
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Los Angeles "The Middle East Today: