Posted on 02/26/2010 4:19:10 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008
System under stress at Toyota
Criticism is surfacing about the potential social costs of the carmaker's labor practices
By YURI KAGEYAMA
The Associated Press
TOYOTA, Aichi Pref. (AP) Toyota Motor Corp. has long boasted a stellar reputation for super-efficient production that has become the lore of countless business success books.
Past and present: Hiroko Uchino, the widow of Toyota Motor Corp. employee Kenichi Uchino, who died of overwork, is seen with a family photo at her house in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, in July. AP PHOTO
But recently, criticism is starting to surface in Japan about the potential social costs of the company's prized — and virtually uncriticized — labor practices.
Over the past year, the deaths of two Toyota employees were determined by law to have been caused by overwork.
Then in June, a downtown Tokyo stabbing spree by a disgruntled worker at a Toyota subsidiary stunned Japan. The vehicle and knife rampage, which left seven dead, prompted further public scrutiny of the leading automaker. Some questioned whether its aggressive cost cuts were putting a stressful squeeze on its employees.
(Excerpt) Read more at search.japantimes.co.jp ...
Who knew Japan Times was a GM union org? Man, I’m am SICK of people on here defending Toyota at all costs even though they’ve been smelling up the car market for years now.
5 years? A Missionary friend has a 1992 Tercel which is still going strong and gets 40mpg. Only put about 450.- in it over 7 years and about 50k miles. To God be the glory.
I found this today, but I have no idea how to post an article correctly. Can someone post this?
http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/feb2010/bw20100225_403524.htm
Very interesting article that mirrors common sense even to us folks who are not engineers.
Great article. You posted the link which is fine.
Thanks!
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