The effect on staffing and organization of this very paternalistic company was dramatic.
Over the years, successful crafts-persons were retained at Dofasco by placing them in
“supervisory” positions where they could qualify for higher pay. With the downsizing
and reorganization between 5 and 6 layers of supervision were eliminated. While one
would believe this was a good thing, a very significant capability was also lost – that of
preparing and supporting a very substantial set of procedures and check-lists. One of the
major functions of the personnel occupying the “lost” positions was to prepare, review
and approve procedures for corrective and preventive maintenance jobs.