Essay About Win-Win Solution And Plant Manager

The Theory and Policy Encounter Power and Motivation at Consolidated Automobile
I. Synthesis
William Strong & Larry Kane, discontented employees at Consolidated
Automobile Manufacturers Inc., had taken matters into their hands when they failed to
get their supervisor to be transferred. There were some conditions in the plant that
members of the union think would need improvement as well – such as the cafeteria
food and relief from more than 100 – degree heat in the metal shop. Hence, Strong and
Kane resorted to shutting off the power source to an auto-assembly line. Sam Winfare,
the supervisor concerned, has proven himself an effective supervisor in his area with a
manifestly improved production in just a short period of time. He explained to the plant
manager that his transfer would only set a dangerous long-term precedent. True
enough, there is at least one other supervisor that the assembly-line workers want to be
removed. Under duress, the Plant Manager immediately need to resolve the problem
and cease the tension between the employees and the management to prevent further
losses for the company for every minute of the disturbed operation. The need to uphold
a decision that would help restore the production of the profitless assembly line and
development of policies to prevent future interruptions by assembly-line workers is
highly necessary.
This case is a sample of common management-labor argument in an assembly
line manufacturing set-up. It provides a venue for the management to formulate and
utilize the different theoretical methods in resolving problems or conflicts to arrive at
winning solutions.
II. Point of View
The Plant Manager
III. Statement of the Problem
What win-win solution should be offered to pacify both parties and, consequently,
allow immediate restoration of production?
IV. Statement of Objectives
 To restore production in the assembly line
 To analyze root cause of the strike, and apply corrective and preventive action
plans, develop policies