ECONOMISTS WARN Labor, MANAGEMENT AND LABOR must become ‘‘partners in com- petitiveness’’ if the Canadian in- dustrial sector, including automotive, is to survive and pro- sper, warns Clarkson Gordon/ Woods Gordon economists and marketing specialists. Their assessment and outlook for the immediate future is available in the 21st edition of the firm’s annual publication, Tome crow'’s Custom- ers. “The unions that will do well in the future are those that accept as lanage! a joint responsibility the need for the company, or industry, to re- main competitive in the face of mounting international competiti- tion,’’ said Roger Briers, a partner with the marketing and economics group of Woods Gordon management consultants. “This will likely mean sacrifices by both unions and management and a renewed spirit of coopera- tion. The large percentage of the auto industry in Canada makes this sector a particularly important area in which to succeed. Success in labor relations here could help 1988 FIRST QUARTER Job outlook looks stable SEVENTEEN PER CENT of Vancouver employers responding to the quarterly employment outlook survey by Manpower Temporary Services indicate plans to hire additional employees in the 1988 first quarter. However, cutbacks are an- ticipated by the same percentage. Interviewed in late November, 54 per cent of employers contacted forsee no immediate change in current employee levels and 12 per cent are unsure, A similar outlook was predicted a year.ago when 20 per cent expected hiring and 20 ;er cent planned reductions. “Much of the positive employ- ment activity can be expected in the services sector over the next three months,” said Manpower gencral manager, Don Cormack. Nationwide, 18 per cent of over 1,800 employers interviewed an- ticipate hiring more workers dur- ing the 1988 first quarter while staff reductions are seen by 13 per cent. A year ago, increased hiring ac- tivity was predicted by !5 per cent and 15 per cent planned cutbacks. ~ Employers inthe mining in- dustry category, which, for pur- poses of the survey also includes oil and natural gas as well as min- eral extraction, appear much more optimistic than a year ago. While 18 per cent plan to add employees, reductions are seen by 15 per cent.’ First quarter results for 1987 showed increases planned by only three per cent as cutbacks were expected by 15 per cent. . With the onset of winter, the construction industry wili again suffer some overall loss in employment opportunities as 14 per cent contacted plan to hire ad- ditional workers while reductions in staff are forecast by 30 per cent. No change is anticipated by 50 per cent and six per cent are unsure of future plans. A year ago, 18 per cent of employers contacted expected in- creases while a similar percentage forecast cutbacks, resulting in a ‘*no change’’ outlook. Twenty per cent of non-durable goods manufacturers. interviewed plan to add employees as reduc- tions are expected by 12 per cent. First quarter survey results for 1987 indicated 15 per cent planning to hire while layoffs were an- ticipated by 18 per cent. Fifteen per cent of employers contacted in transportation and public utilities indicate hiring in- tentions while nine per cent foresee cutbacks, ; The majority, 70 per cent, plan no immediate change in. current employee levels and six per ccnt are unable to express an opinion. A year ago, staff increases were expected by 11 per cent and reduc- tions by 13 per cent. . In the wake of the busy holiday surge in business, employers in the wholesale and retail sector now expect some overall reduction in jobs, While 15 per cent of those con- tacted expect to hire more workers, cutbacks are forecast by 22 per cent. This is, nevertheless, an im- provement over the outlook a year ago, when igcreases were predicted by 13 per cent and reductions by 27 per cent. A continuing need for additional workers in finance, insurance and real estate, as one category, is ex- pected as 20 per cent of employers interviewed plan to hire during the first three months of 1988. Only three per cent expect to reduce. staff during the same period. “ A year ago, 26 per cent of employers contacted predicted in- creased staff requirements while reductions were expected by seven per cent. Ten per cent of educators, both public and private, forecast in- creased hiring activity during January, February and. March 1988 while cutbacks are anticipated by seven per cent. Survey results a year ago showed eight per cent planning to increase staff as op- posed to reductions expected by seven per cent. Those seeking jobs in the ser- vices sector should find employers receptive in the New Year as 24 per cent anticipate additional staff with cutbacks predicted by seven per cent. Sixty-five per cent expect no change while four per cent are unsure. This is a substantial im- provement over the situation of a year ago. attract more off-shore “‘transplants’’ to Canada and create jobs in the domestic parts, services and primary industries, too,”” he said. “What happens in the auto sec- tor is disproportionately important to us because that industry is a trend-setter in new technology and its after-market includes such a large number of secondary pro- ducers. ‘*For instance, CAD/CAM (computer assisted design and manufacturing), statistical process control, Just In Time control, SONY. Low, Low Price AUTO FOCUS COLOR VIDEO 23 - Sunday, December 20, 1987 - North Shore News robotics and other technologies and programs were first used by automotive manufacturers and are now spilling over to other in- dustries. “We must develop and preserve the competitiveness. of this in- dustry. Labor/management coop- eration will be a critical element as we seek to build on the 428,000 jobs this industry provides,’ Briers said. According to the report, Cana- dian suppliers to the auto industry will need to focus on manufactur- * 20” colour TV. * Mirror black screen ¢ On screen display © Remote contro! * Big screen © 500 iine horizontal resolution ¢ Square cornered flat screen * XBR stereo built-in * Mulli function remote * Foot control pedestal _CAMERA/RECORDER es AMBLESIDE T.V. & VIDEO 926-7000 or 926-1400 1487 Marine Drive, West Van. — for one and all. | AAITTEN ent must cooperate ing innovation to reduce costs and examine how they can assist auto manufacturers become assemblers of modules. For example, parts firms could consider assembling their compo- nents into sub-systems, finding venture partners, where sccessary, to achieve this. Quality will be a critical compo- nent of the success of parts firms and suppliers of steel as the “‘transplants’’ continue to expect the levels of quality they achieve in their domestic plants. MON.-FRI. 9-9 / SAT. 9-6 OPEN SUN. 12-4 reelings to Fill ‘tis the seasan to say’, “Thanks, friends.” A very Merry Christmas to my clients and associates of the past 15 years. May 1988 be a prosperous year REALTY LTD. Paulean MacHale 988-1175