Motion Study
A Method for Increasing the Efficiency of the Workman

VARIABLES OF THE MOTION 71 The relative cost of motions of higher and lower grades of labor must also be considered. It is obvious that, other things being equal, it is cheaper to have a low-priced man instead of a high-priced man make the same motion; but only the most careful study can determine all of the motions that could be taken from the high-priced man and allotted to one or more grades of lower-priced men. This can never be wholly or properly accomplished until our present trades, with their inher- ited conditions and traditions, have been reclassified to meet modern conditions. In some trades it is very difficult to effect such division of work, as unions are opposed to having anything relating to skilled work done by laborers. Examples. — i. In the most highly unionized districts carpenters only are allowed to unload the rough lumber from the cars, and none but carpenters are allowed to transport, lift, and erect, as well as to fabricate it. 2. In bricklaying the case is slightly different. The work of transporting the brick to the place where they are to be laid has always been done by tenders and laborers. The bricklayer never wheels or carries brick. This is a tradition long handed down. Yet he is most jealous that no part of his own work shall be done by a tender or a laborer. During the time that brick construction was practically without competitors in its field, the bricklayer could insist on his ancient privileges and prosper.