Summer 1975: ‘If Japan can, why can’t we?’ [NBC News 1980]. ibid.
The company wouldn’t just give the employees jobs to do, it would set all-encompassing values for them: this was the key to reshaping their businesses for them … viz Waterman & Peters’ In Search of Excellence. ibid.
1997: The world of business changing fast … ‘Losing talent to dot.com startups’ … The job for life is over. ibid.
‘God gave us hands so we have to work. Since we are here we have to work. Everybody works 12 hours … The machines have to be controlled, either by using a button or the brain.’ Machines, worker, 2017
‘Working on the wheel pays Rs. 210 (2USD) per shift.’ ibid.
‘How would the wealthy know the problems of the poor?’ ibid.
‘If the workers unite, they can get the bosses to yield.’ ibid.
‘I don’t know anything about the boss.’ ibid.
‘The American Dream does not come to those who fall asleep.’ Rich Halls’ Working for the American Dream, Richard Nixon, BBC 2018
The American Dream: What does that phrase even mean? Cos it’s wildly open to interpretation. But I think to a lot of Americans it feeds in with the chance to do your work with dignity. ibid.
It’s the cement that unifies Americans. ibid.
Most of the captains of American industry have at one point or other had their workers shot. ibid.
Today more than 40% of all jobs in the United States are low-income jobs. Wolvoman80, Government and New World Order Corruption Exposed aka Planet Earth, Youtube 3.00.26
December 23 2008: When the GM plant closed in Dayton, Ohio, over 10,000 local jobs were lost. In 2010 Chinese factories began ramping up investment in US manufacturing, re-opening shuttered American factories. American Factory, Netflix 2019
What we’re doing is melding two cultures together … Plenty of opportunities. ibid. company presenter
Audience question: Is this an union shop?
Presenter: We are not. It is our desire to not be. ibid.
They’re pretty slow. They have fat fingers. We keep training them over and over. ibid. supervisor to chairman
We don’t want to see the union developing here … If a union comes, I’m shutting down. ibid. chairman
The conditions are not favourable. Doing the same thing over and over again. That wears on you. Body, mind and the soul – is sometimes you think, Why am I doing this? You think about whether you have the stamina and the will to do this type of job. ibid. worker
American workers are not efficient and output is low. ibid. Chinese supervisor
There have been eleven safety complaints filed against Fuyao. ibid. television news
At least 3,000 people have either come and gone: either fired or quit. ibid. worker
Man, they treat these people like shit in here. ibid. pro-union dude
Fuyao paid LRI over $1 million to keep workers from organizing a union. ibid. caption
Since the 1970s, the union avoidance industry has grown steadily as average wages and union membership have declined. ibid.
Recently, we fired a lot of union supporters. ibid. supervisor to chairman
Unemployment Officer: So, what kind of work are you interested in?
Mandy: I like mindless tasks. Something I can do with my hands. Mandy I: 2020
Please watch the video … Did you watch the video? Great, I’ll see you Monday then. Have you been smoking? ibid. Banana factory’s induction course: tiny television in corner of staff room
Please pay attention to this short health and safety presentation. Processing and distributing up to 20,000 bananas of day, we are proud to have the 6th highest volume of any banana processing and distribution centre in the UK and north Europe region. And all this with the 3rd best health and safety record. Let’s keep it that way. This is Mick. Mick was brought on board to replace Jill who was sadly killed in a banana processing and distribution incident. ibid. Health & safety video
These are laminates. It’s particularly important that you familiarise yourselves with this one: this is a deadly spider from north Africa. If you see it, you must spash it with your hammer. And remember the Go Bananas code: 1 to STUN, 2 to KILL, 3 to MAKE SURE! ibid.
I’ve got a new job. In a banana factory. I’m an arachnid control operative. ibid.
Chicken shop owner’s dog-n-bone interview: What are your strengths?
Mandy: I’m not a grass. I might be some things but I’m not a grass. Oh and I can swallow a tangerine whole. When can you let me know by? ibid.
Unemployment Officer: Now, Mandy, I have had some feedback from your recent employers, and I think it would be helpful and constructive for you to hear what they had to say.
Mandy: Oh, no, I’m all right, thanks.
Unemployment Officer: Mark from Chicken Bungalow said, She burnt down my chicken restaurant. And the banana people said, Thanks to your negligence, seventeen lives were lost.
Mandy: I knew they’d dredge that up. ibid.
Unemployment Officer: It’s come to my attention, Mandy, that you have actually been working. You have been working in a commercial for a pay-day loans company ... ibid.
Mandy’s video: Are you desperate for cash but don’t have any adult family members willing you bail you out again? Then try Cash Maggot.
Desperate members of public: … I’m a cash maggot … I’m a cash maggot … ibid.
135,758. Lola: What are you reading?
Mandy: The Guinness Book of Records. Mandy II: Mandy Bloody Blower, at the nailbar
These people are gods: they’ve done something with their lives … I’m not a record breaker. But I am a line-dancer though. I’m going to win the local line-dancing endurance competition. Practising? I’ve done twenty-two hours straight through. I’ve got a secret [inaudible] … nappies … ibid.
Mandy: I heard you’d gone to the Peak District to start a new life. I heard you’d got a hot-tub.
Susan Blower: I did. But it’s all gone to shit … It’s all gone. I want to make it up to you. ibid.
Lola: Step 1: Gaze into the eyes of the voodoo head. Step 2: Name your foe. Step 3: Tell the head what you want – and you must be specific.
Mandy: I want to be the last one standing at the local line-dancing endurance competition. ibid.
Announcer: The prize will go to the last line-dancer standing. And remember, you must keep your thumbs in your belt-loops at all times. Otherwise you are DISQUALIFIED! OK, good luck everyone. Positions please. And here we go. ibid.
[20 seconds into competition Mandy staggers] … Lola! Water! ibid.
Loo roll! Loo roll! ibid. Mandy et Susan remain
Announcer: Susan Blower wins the award. God rest her soul. ibid. Susan crushed by giant glitterball with voodoo-head mistakenly brought into competition hall and onlooking from table
Mandy: Sergei?
Sergei: Yes. You booked me B&B? Mandy III: Russian
Mandy: Whereabouts did you want to go?
Sergei: Salisbury. Did you know clock tower is over 200 years old? I would also like to visit GCHQ. ibid.
Sergei: I wish to marry you. Yes please, I long to learn everything about you and your decadent culture.
Well, my favourite programme’s Bargain Hunters. ibid.
I like strong leaders and the resurgence of Russia on the world stage. I dislike liberalism, R&B and eggs. ibid. Sergei
Nude Mandy on food trolley: Dig in, lads. Don’t be shy … Do you like sushi do you? Don’t touch it myself … Don’t let me put you off. Eh, you haven’t got a ciggy on ya, have ya? I’m gasping for a fag. My arms are covered in prawns. Mandy IV: Fish
Boss: You are fired! Get out!
Mandy: All right. Fine. I’ll get me coat. You owe me for an hour and a half. ibid.