LESS WORK=MORE WEALTH:

U.S. Manufacturers Gain Ground (JAMES R. HAGERTY, 8/18/13, WSJ)

Like many U.S. manufacturers, Harley since the 2008-09 recession has revamped its operations to create a smaller and more flexible workforce, resulting in annual cost savings of more than $300 million and making the company more competitive. Among the changes: The union at its plant in York, Pa., accepted the use of temporary workers, who can be dismissed without severance pay. The number of job classifications at York also fell to five from 62, so workers have a wider variety of skills and can go where needed. As restrictive working rules were eliminated, a 136-page labor contract was replaced by a 58-page document.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 20, 2013 2:18 PM
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