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).
|
18 May 1984
To:
Dear Shop
Rep
THE TRUTH ON
PAGE 3, PARA 4
Productivity
Months of
negotiations are over and a copy of the Settlement is already with you – except
that this time it is a cyclostyled copy and the colour is light blue!
I assume
that you have read the Settlement carefully. You are expected to study and
understand the Agreement. When a worker approaches you with a problem, it is
your privilege to explain to him the relevant clauses.
If you have
some doubt yourself, feel free to seek an explanation from either the foreman
or the manager of your department. And as far as consulting your unit
Joint-Secretary is concerned, I don't think I even need to advise you on that !
But there is
one clause in the Agreement which I personally wish to draw your attention to.
You have
guessed it right; This is the clause on page 3, para 4.
By now, I
suppose you have also guessed correctly what I am going to say next.
And do you
know why you were able to guess correctly ?
Because you know
the TRUTH;
-
the truth
regarding page 3 para 4
-
the truth
that it is a commitment for increasing productivity by 25% within 3 months of
signing of the Agreement.
-
the truth
that relatively there is very little improvement in the productivity-levels
anywhere in Powai during the 5 weeks since we signed the Agreement.
-
the truth
that an L&T worker is quite capable of
increasing productivity by not a mere 25% but may be even 50% (as I mentioned
at the Gate-meeting) if only he made-up his mind to do so.
I have
brought these facts to the notice of those who have made this commitment (see
enclosed letter-translated for you from the original English version). I sent
it because I think I owe them a feedback. I also furnished shopwise details at
the Powai level Productivity Committee meeting held on 8th May 1984.
Now I am
writing to you because I feel, you too, ought to know my grave concern at this
alarming situation. I am sure your unit Joint-Secretary must have also. spoken
to you regarding his concern - after all he has signed the agreement on your
behalf.
The point is
- if the union has bargained hard (and I should know how hard!) and delivered
unprecedented fantastic benefits to the workmen, they have also committed, on
behalf of the very same workmen, to deliver 25% productivity increase.
If they have
done this on your behalf given their word of honour - staked their personal
reputation - will you let them down?
But this is
exactly what will happen if productivity does not go up, as promised, by 25% !
A feeling of
let-down; And the Unit committee will not be alone in feeling this way. I too
will feel the same way!
There is
still time. Can we, for once, prove to ourselves that we are men and women - of
honour ?
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