Synopsis: Communication For Productivity
Letters written to some 7500 Workers / Managers /
Union Leaders, following a period of strike / Go slow / Murders (1979 -
1987), at Mumbai factory of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. This direct / open /
honest communication led to a remarkable atmosphere of trust between
Workers and Management, which, in turn, increased productivity at 3% per year
(ave).
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14 Dec 1984
To:
Shop
Representatives :
I am glad
that you attended the meeting yesterday. It gave me an opportunity to know your
problems and also tell you the problems faced by the managers.
As far as
discontinuing the practice of releasing Heavy-Shop workmen 5 minutes before the
end of the second-shift, I have explained to you:
1. This concession is no more required in light of
changed shift timing and bus timing.
2. It was on the strength of this argument that the
Union had accepted the Management stand and reached a "collectively
bargained" settlement in April.
As far as
production/ productivity is concerned, I have pointed out to you my own
personal experience on the shop-floor of Heavy-Shop a few months ago during
shift change time that almost all the machines were completely stopped for
nearly 20 minutes'. This is despite the fact that we have provided an over-lap
of 10 minutes to enable the second-shift worker to take-over from the
first-shift man to ensure that the machine does not/need not stop even for One
minute!
By remaining
silent you have admitted that this is what is actually happening;
But is it
enough to remain silent?
As
Shop-representatives, as leaders of workers, you have a personal responsibility
to ensure that not a single machine stops for a single minute wherever an
operator over-lap is provided.
And as
"Worker-Leaders" you are supposed to set an example by your own
personal behaviour! How else can you make others listen to you? I hope you will
take the "Lead" in this matter. Remember others are watching you and
waiting to "copy" your behaviour! Whatever you do, others will
follow.
As far as
productivity - suggestions are concerned, please make out a list of
concrete/specific suggestions, give it to your production- manager and send me
a copy.
Regards,
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