INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND AUTOMATION

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 340, S. 69-80

Abstract

In industrial relations, automation is frequently used as a synonym for displacement. More precisely defined, automation can have various direct & immediate effects on jobs. It may eliminate jobs outright: it may eliminate parts of several jobs: it may require new combinations of skills: & it may affect responsibility, working conditions, & the extent of worker control over rate of output. The impact of these effects has varied greatly in the past decade, depending on the nature of the work rules in the industry or the operation. Automation has been adopted most extensively in industries or operations which impose few barriers to reassignment of job duties - or in operations where collective bargaining is rare. Where automation has encountered rigid job lines & other restrictive work rules, labor management conflict has at times been intense. As automation becomes more flexible & economical, it may invade such areas to an increasing degree. Labor & management & the gov have adopted a variety of measures to prevent or alleviate displacement & to study proposals for future bargaining. AA.