I do not think tht workersin the Mexico Ford plant are skilled at all. Work in an auto plant requires very little skill with very few exceptions. that's why Ford could move in the first place. High productivity (from the technology) and low wages from the huge pool of surplus labor.
Michael Yates
Thomas Kruse wrote:
> Question on this:
>
> > And his concluding note on skill--now that skill intensive
> >technological change has been invoked, as a residual, to explain all the
> >wage inequality which "globalization" or "declining union power"
> >cannot--is more relevant than ever.
>
> Hasn't it been demonstrated in various contexts that skill transfers aren't
> necessarily matched by higher wages, especially across borders? The
> productivity/remuneration gap noted in comparing the high-tech Ford
> Hermosillo, Mexico plant with similars in the US?
>
> Tom
>
> Tom Kruse / Casilla 5812 / Cochabamba, Bolivia
> Tel/Fax: (591-42) 48242
> Email: tkruse at albatros.cnb.net