Nobody wants to be a peasant. I think we can all agree on that much. And in case you need a refresher course, those were the class of people – pre-industrialization – who did all the heavy lifting. They sowed the crops, reaped the harvest, worked hours in pouring rain, beating sun. You name it. Hence, the word has become an insult in 21st century America. Still, somebody has to do all that heavy lifting, even in the modern world. So, just who are today’s peasants? Well, you might think the farmers, but that would be completely wrong. These days many own or lease huge tracts of land that they work in enclosed air-conditioned machines that feature GPS auto controls, snack bars and big screen TVs. OK, so I’m exaggerating, but not by much. So who else then? Perhaps it’s fast food workers, what with their low pay, silly uniforms and strict franchise rules. But, it’s funny, retail and hospitality are pretty hot industries these days. I bought a pair of moccasins the other day at Nordstrom and the young men in the shoe department were hip and looked absolutely thrilled to be there. Hmmn. So that leaves us with… you guessed it, manufacturing workers. It’s sad to say that even though the industry pays much better than most retail, and job growth has been relatively slow this recession, some manufacturers report an inability to find suitable workers. No, we’re not talking about low-level jobs that involve slapping together parts on an assembly line, but high-tech ones that require smarts, skills and often training on how to use sophisticated computer-controlled machines. And it’s not as though our schools are helping. As I’ve noted before, the Los Angeles Unified School District was happy to spend billions to give iPads to every student, even as shop classes dwindle and equipment lags behind what’s found in the modern workplace. I think much of it has to do with sex appeal. OK, to be more precise, let’s make that job appeal. The trendy jobs these days involve app development, or perhaps starting an online or social-media based business. Don’t get me wrong. I love entrepreneurs, but not all of us can be one. I’m sure most 20-somethings would rather starve and cook up vague business plans than actually do a hardcore manufacturing job that paid decent wages. In some ways, who can blame them? Most of the biggest headlines regarding manufacturing these days involve job losses. In this issue, the Business Journal reports on planned layoffs at a St. Jude medical device plant in Sylmar and a Chatsworth plant where Nestle USA makes Hot Pockets sandwiches. Nestle cited a lack of room for growth at its Valley plant for moving the operation to Kentucky. But the fact is the company laid off more than 100 workers there in 2012, and we all know Kentucky is a lower wage state – so the move has the smell of lowering labor costs. And that whole strategy of seeking lower labor costs doesn’t do much for manufacturing’s reputation. If it’s not cheap enough in Kentucky, let’s move that plant to Mexico. Now that I think about it, Superior Industries International Inc., an aluminum wheel manufacturer headquartered in Van Nuys, closed its Valley plant in 2009. And just last month the company announced it was closing a U.S. plant – based in the lower-cost, lower-wage state of Arkansas – to move more production to Mexico. We report on the move in this issue too. And if transportation costs stay low enough, perhaps sourcing from China might be next. Oops, I forgot, labor costs there are already on the way up so perhaps Cambodia or some African country may be a better idea. Of course, that’s the way the free flow of capital, labor and trade is supposed to work. But like I said, it doesn’t do much for the aerospace shop owner in Valencia trying to convince a young man or woman that learning CNC machines is the way to a long and prosperous career. An OpEd on the next page of this issue by the California Manufacturers & Technology Association laments the decline of manufacturing in the state, so the group is starting a campaign that will highlight the benefits of manufacturing to state leaders leaders in Sacramento. I think the trade group is on the right track. They realize the industry is underappreciated, but for all the lip service that politicians give about wanting to promote manufacturing job growth, there is one key obstacle few talk about. Nobody wants to be a peasant. Nobody wants to do the heavy lifting. Think about it, how many politicians today come from a manufacturing background and how many do you think envision it as a suitable career for their children? Few to none. We all want to sit behind desks, create great apps and tell the world what great original thinkers and entrepreneurs we are. So the divide today between white collar and blue collar workers is probably just as great as in 19th century Russia, when nobles ruled the countryside and peasants did all the heavy lifting. Read some Tolstoy. The peasants had a word for the nobility: gentlefolk. These days, I’d say, that just about describes most of us. Laurence Darmiento is editor of the Business Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].
