A couple of years ago I represented my local union, in our effort to get ISO9000 and QSO 9000 certification. QSO 9000 is the steel industry automotive related standard. We were successful in getting both certifications.
I met regularly with about 25 of the companies top level managers. For starters I told management that the unions position was that ISO-QSO was a technical & scientific program and that there would be no editorializing on the part of management which would take away from the technical & scientific nature of the program. We have had problems in the past with management trying to use programs like SPC for their editorial advantage. So I made it clear right from the start that this would be our position on the ISO-QSO program, no editorializing.
The nice thing about ISO-QSO is that it requires a very high degree of process documentation and it forces the company to open up all areas to scrutiny. I got insights into areas of the business that normally would not have been talked about. I took detailed notes and briefed the officers of our local union.
Now in non-union companies the only advantage to the workers might be in the fact the company has to record such processes as housekeeping, and, the inspectors/auditors do grade on such subjects.
Sincerely, Tom L.
Thomas Kruse wrote:
> Dear lbo-ers:
>
> A while back there was a good discussion on ISO 9000, with participation
> from Asia, US, etc. Unfortunatley, I was a bit too quick with the ctrl + D
> in the In box.
>
> My question: does ISO 9000 stipulate anything regarding conditions of labor?
> We have a couple of companies here trumpeting their new ISO 9000 status, and
> they have absolutely horrific records of labor abuses. The unions are have
> tried lots of ways to publicize the abuses; they now feel the ISO issue
> might be a useful "hook" for us.
>
> Note: even if ISO 9000 does not stipulate a certain treatment of labor, has
> there been disussion in this regard? Point: even if we can't argue the
> designation is spurious on the grounds of bad labor practices, we can still
> argue there ought to be social clauses with ISO 9000.
>
> Any and all comment, help, guidance is very much appreciated. It may well
> make this week's news here.
>
> Tom
>
> Tom Kruse / Casilla 5812 / Cochabamba, Bolivia
> Tel/Fax: (591-4) 248242
> Email: tkruse at albatros.cnb.net
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