Question

Which of the following did workers and/or managers at the Van Nuys plant object to about the Toyota production system? (select all that apply)

O Sharing parking lot and cafeteria
O Using Japanese suppliers
O Training in Japan
O Loss of benefits of job seniority
O Team concept

Answer 1

The Van Nuys plant workers opposed the Toyota production system's impact on job seniority benefits and the shift to a team concept, which disrupted traditional work practices and union bargaining power.

Step-by-step explanation:

Workers and managers at the Van Nuys plant notably objected to the loss of benefits of job seniority and the team concept associated with the Toyota production system. This system's implementation affected many aspects of their work culture, causing unrest among the workforce.

The introduction of just-in-time production, a staple of the Toyota system, meant outsourcing to non-union plants in the Midwest, which eroded union workers' leverage in negotiating for better wages and benefits. The reorganization of the auto industry during the 1980s further emphasized the spatial shift away from traditional manufacturing hubs like Detroit to smaller towns, where workers were more likely to be anti-union.

Moreover, unionized workers saw their bargaining power diminish as auto companies increasingly looked towards international markets, leveraging lower wages and the benefits of free trade agreements, such as those found in Mexico.