THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY AND THE WORKING CLASS AMERICANS

During the early stages of civilization, trade and industrialization became the mainstays

of society in pursuit of globalization and economic stabilization. A singular indicator underlying

such phenomena which would step into these becoming is the advancement of technology. Basic

is the development of simple machines that come handy in the daily lives of people. One which

was brought to life is the common carriers or what is now known as the automobiles.

A number of the founding automobile companies in this industry would begin to venture

the business of car manufacturing solely for a more stylish and comfortable means of

transportation for the privileged. However, when war came before the countrys doorsteps, the

operations and manufacturing of these cars were put in halt as the government considered the

importance of the expansion of military bases and the production of artilleries. This changed the

perspective on how car manufacturers would build their cars.

In the midst of the era of warring states, the government offered contracts to car

manufacturers to produce tanks, jeeps and other such vehicles in aid of war. The need for the

state of the art and sophisticated vehicles were highly requested in this stage. In replacement of

style and comfort, the need for speed and other essentials fit for waging war became the main

objective of these manufacturers.

An example of the evolution of the car manufacturing business is the reuse and recycling

of car parts converted to aircraft engines. Hence, this opened another stratum of job

specifications for the additional demand in the industry requiring a few more skill set to be able

to cater the needs of the customers. But because things are yet to be discovered, a few are seen to

be incapable or unaware of the nature of their jobs in this field. In short, it caused the confusion

on the job orders and specifications.

 During the period of industrialization, many authors would debate on the system and

arrangement of the workplace between employers and employees. Some would focus on the

absence of fair labor practices and its effect in totality. The importance of fair labor practices

play a huge part on the improvement of the economic status of a nation.

Before technology would later replace sole manpower, manual work and labor had to be

done in order to get things flowing. History would show that the employers of these car

manufacturing companies imposed unreasonable working conditions for the employees during

these era. The concept of civil rights was not given credence for the focal point of people

especially of the working class is centered on their survival and on capitalism for the elite few.

This shows the difference of the perspective of social classes, and the working class plays the

victim.

Compared to the present, the working conditions of these people are harsh, more so

unreasonable for a number of factors grounded mainly on unfair labor practices. To start, the

workers are required to engage in longer shifts and to work on such industry of brawn takes a toll

on the employee. The concept of an 8-hour working period is nonetheless foreign as longer

periods are needed to complete the desired work to meet the company quota.

The years just previous to 1913 were ones of considerable uncertainty and instability for

workers. There was concern over length of the working day, fluctuating pay scales, and changing

work routines. Most auto plants except Ford operated on a ten hour day. In a 1912 report, a labor

spy for the Employers Association of Detroit informed that the IWW included within its

organization a group of automobile workers and that the American Federation of Labor in
Detroit was not averse to working with the IWW on specific issues. The Employers Association

of Detroit warned Detroit employers in 1912 that considerable dissatisfaction existed in their

factories, stating that there was more restlessness, more aggression among the workmen in

Detroit than there has been for the past several years. (Peterson)

In addition to not being afforded of proper rest periods, much less the time to eat and

have lunch breaks, another issue would be the lack of consideration in making available of

insurance policies and safety measures for workers in the said industry. The idea of giving

insurance to workers in this line cannot likewise be seen. Despite incurring possible injury,

sickness or in worse cases, death, these show inept quality of care towards employees by their

employers. Unfair and oppressive work states would start the friction between the workforces

and would result to the downfall of the economy if it becomes worse.

The days continue, and so as growing fight for fair labor practices. The concept of fair

trade and unionization became a thing which worked for both the employer and employee to

avoid strike and to resolve matters in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. It is always important to

see to it that employees are given proper care and benefits to equate to the services they provide.

In order to avoid the recurrence of the circumstances of employees during the early times, a labor

union and organization must likewise exist in the company.

Now what is left is the issue on the rapid advancement of technology and its relationship

to unemployment and underemployment.

It has been long held by many pessimists that the wage increases of the industrial

revolution were eroded away by extremely high unemployment and underemployment rates

caused by the introduction of labor-saving technology. Although there were some pockets of
technological unemployment, the calculations of Williamson suggest that the unemployment rate

was at most eight per cent per year, and was probably far lower (Williamson, p. 22).

Furthermore, the stable money wages between 1820 and 1850 indicate that there was little

competition from unemployed workers that would have lowered wages (Hartwell, 1971, pp. 318-

319). As for underemployment, the tremendous shift from agriculture, which provided only

seasonal employment, to the more stable manufacturing sector, led to decreasing

underemployment (Hartwell 1971, p. 323). (Majewski)

One way of measuring labors responses to economic restructuring is to examine data on

the frequency and duration of strikes. The impact of restructuring and export promotion created

downward pressure on real wages and employment in the ISI and export plants. In this context,

we would expect workers to develop strong grievances. We would also expect that, all things

being equal, democratic and autonomous unions were more likely to act upon workers

grievances by threatening the management with strikes. (Tuman)

In the basic sense, a strike would result in the halt in operations in the workplace. It

doesnt affect only the workplace. In severe cases, it is damaging to the economic stability of the

nation.

That is what the nation has to consider in consonance with developing economic policies.

To achieve stability and growth in the economy, it is a must to avoid the rise of conflict would

mean a better working environment suitable for the employer, employee and also the

government. The best way is to be able to communicate with both sides to negotiate and

exchange ideas to achieve the desired outcome and to make ends meet.
 In a fast growing world, being able to adapt in such a pace would be a matter that would

be dealt on by any nation for the rest as it goes. Such as the matter at hand, the irony lies within

evolution of technology itself. The rapid development of technology has given a boost in the

nations economy and that is undeniable. As for recent times, the economy might have soared

but the employment rate would likely plummet if the trend goes on like this. It is not however

correct to say that being technologically advanced is entirely bad. There is the constant struggle

to let the improvement on technology go on but at the same time, to be able to provide adequate

employment for people so as not to completely rely on machineries alone. For in the end, the

people will continue to rule and command, not machines, and that is the status quo.

References

Majewski, John. The Industrial Revolution: Working Class Poverty or Prosperity? 1986.

Peterson, James Shaw. American Automobile Workers. 1939.

Tuman, John P. Reshaping the North American Automobile Industry: Restructuring, Corporatism, and
Union Democracy in Mexico. 2003.