B.C. LUMBER WORKER 13 2nd Issue, November AUTOMATION TO USHER IN NEW DAY Challenging nature of the on the advent of automation was outlined in i address by Associate Director of Research coRaee eae Joe Miyazawa. The Union’s policy was stated, and is re- produced here in response to enquiries. “Any discussion on the ap- proach of automation in industry must start with recognition of the fact that the term has been given widely different dpplica- tions by those responsible for its advance publicity. The most sens- ible procedure at this stage is to establish in our own minds, the exact nature of the changes in- volved, the consequences which can be foreseen with reasonable accuracy, and the extent of ad- justments in our economy that may be necessary. Our attitude should lie between the two extremes that have be- come popular in some circles. The National Association of Manu- facturers in the United States, for instance, claims that, “Guid- ed by electronics, powered by atomic energy, the magic carpet of our free economy heads for undreamed of horizons. Just go- ing along for the ride will be the biggest thrill on earth.” No “Magic Carpet” As Walter Reuther said when he appeared before the special Committee of the American Sen- ate conducting an enquiry into the subject, “We do not believe that our people are prepared to go along just for the ride. We do not believe that any thinking per- son is prepared to accept the As- sociation’s ‘magic carpet’ theory of economics.” On the other hand there are those in labor circles who are inclined to be altogether too pes- simistic. They envision the advent of automation as bringing the in- evitable consequences of mass un- employment and all its attendant evils. Their prophecies are more likely to induce a state of panic than an attitude leading to in- telligent action. These calamity- howlers got their answer at re- cent labor conferences, notably those of the CCL in Canada and the CIO in the United States. To this list, I should add our own IWA International convention, held recently in Milwaukee. No Opposition On behalf of the IWA, I wish to correct a false impression that has beeif’ given wide circulation, to the effect that labor is oppos- ing automation. The opposite is the truth. Labor welcomes all technological progress. Industrial workers realize that it would be a stupendous folly to attempt to arrest the march of science, and that their own interests would be gravely damaged if they did so. Any such attitude of opposi- tion would be comparable with the antagonisms expressed by the workers in Britain during the early days of the industrial revolution, and which were re- sponsible for the Luddite riots directed against the new ma- chines, which had displaced their hand crafts. Workers Jearned then, and have con- tinued to realize, that the new industrial machine created more jobs than ‘it wiped out. Labor has gained in a large measure as a result of the new productive processes, in terms of better wages, shorter work- ing hours, and higher living standards. The workers have shared in a production at a low level. We have experienced some con- fusion with regard to the defini- tion of automation. The installa- tion of more automatic machines of the type to which we have be- come accustomed is not automa- tion. Automation is not merely changes likely to ensue up-|an extension of the process of mechanization in industry. It is different from mere mechaniza- tion in that it uses machines not only as a substitute for human physical power but also to re- place human judgment and hu- man thinking. Definition The best definition of auto- mation, that I have seen is the one presented to the IWA In- ternational Convention by E. W. Kenney, Research Director of the Union. He said: “Auto- mation is the substitution of mechanical, hydraulic, pneuma- tic, electrical and electronic de- vices for human organs of ob- seryation, decision and effort, so as to increase productivity, control quality, and reduce costs. “The heart of automation is the ‘feed-back’ principle em- bodied in every home thermo- stat. When you set the thermo- stat for 70 degrees, you can rely on it to turn the furnace on when the temperature drops too low and to turn it off, when the temperature rises too high. The same self-correcting tech- ~ nique is involved in automation, except that the number of vari- able factors controlled by the electronic brain is infinitely more complex. Once you give the electronic brain its instruc- tions, through a punched card, or on a recording tape, it will See “AUTOMATION” Page 14 In British Columbia, the forests generate half of every dollar in our pockets. Beautiful as well as bountiful, they are our heritage. But they are the heritage of future generations as well, and their value, their productivity, as well as their beauty, must be maintained if we are to keep faith with those who follow us. We of Columbia Cellulose are proud to join with other progressive companies in working to preserve this. great natural wealth. Through responsible, scientific forest management, we are helping to grow more trees than we use, helping to perpetuate these natural riches of our Province. PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. COMPANY LIMITED ih My Hh He a i He i j inf BM ah i a is j oe i i y HU A) aia