The Australian vehicle industry has always
struggled to remain viable despite relying heavily
on government protection. Now it faces the
prospect of competing on its own merits, and has
turned to JIT as one way to reduce manufacturing
costs. However, the resultant exposure of the total
supply network to the effects of isolated strikes
has become a major concern.
This article traces relevant events since JIT
became commonplace. The gravity of the situation
has forced the principal union and the motor
corporations to co‐operate more, but there are
fewer restraints on the other unions representing
small groups in a host of supplier firms. Attempts
are in train to address these structural difficulties
too, but they have been greeted with some
scepticism.