THE EFFECTS OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE ON WORKING KNOWLEDGE IN RAIL SWITCHING

This dissertation is a participant observer study of the effects of technological change on necessary working knowledge in rail switching. Data was collected between 1965 and 1978 while the author worked as a switchman/brakeman for five rail companies in Kansas City, Missouri and Washington, D.C. The theoretical positions of Harry Braverman (Labor and Monopoly Capital) and of Ken Kusterer (Know How on the Job: The Important Working Knowledge of "Unskilled" Workers) are both central to this study. Braverman argues that capitalism produces detail work, which in turn produces the successive de-skilling of workers. Kusterer, critical of the "skill" concept, argues that it leads to an underestimation of what workers know--that no one is totally unskilled. This work performs a theoretical marriage of the Braverman and Kusterer positions. Workers do know a great deal which escapes the typical job descriptions of "required skills." Kusterer's taxonomy of "working knowledge," adapted to rail switching, provides evidence of significant working knowledge in each of the four stages of technology studied. However, across stages, due to technological change, necessary working knowledge decreases. Thus, the Braverman hypothesis is supported. Braverman cites a tripartite formula in the writings of Frederick Taylor which was intended to increase management control of the work process. In rail switching this strategy was implemented, but through technological change chosen by ordinary management rather than by time and motion consultants. It is found that sub-groups of workers performed successively fewer basic tasks. This is internal specialization. Further, switched freight cars are successively produced with performance of fewer types of tasks by any human. This I define as overall specialization. Technological change also decreased the number of variables relevant to workers. This is routinization. The effects of routinization decreased necessary working knowledge with respect to plant and equipment, materials processed, peers, and hierarchical structures. The effects of technological change on worker networks and alienation is examined. Possible alternatives to the hump yard are discussed and current struggles are presented in closing. A chapter by chapter annotation is found in the introduction. Methodology is discussed in chapter I.