!publish!

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Valeria Graziano 2022-09-27 00:44:34 -07:00
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Lebole was and still is a clothing factory based in the Arezzo province, Tuscany, that became famous in the 1960s for a TV slogan advertising its mens suits that recited “Ho un debole per luomo in Lebole”, translatable in English, albeit losing the rhyming of the original, with “I have a soft spot for men wearing Lebole”. Lebole was and still is a clothing factory based in the Arezzo province, Tuscany, that became famous in the 1960s for a TV slogan advertising its mens suits that recited “Ho un debole per luomo in Lebole”, translatable in English, albeit losing the rhyming of the original, with “I have a soft spot for men wearing Lebole”.
Aside from its successful promotional campaigns, the Arezzo plant, opened in 1962 in a 75.000 square meters pavilion, is also famous within the history of Italian labour struggles for being amongs the first to introduce the MTM methodologies imported from the US. Aside from its successful promotional campaigns, the Arezzo plant, opened in 1962 in a 75.000 square meters pavilion, is also famous within the history of Italian labour struggles for being amongs the first to introduce MTM (Methods-Time Measurement) methodologies imported from the US.
But the factory didnt only make mens clothes. As Ivana Peluzzi, one of Leboles former workers who kindly agreed to talk with us, put it: But the factory didnt only make mens clothes. As Ivana Peluzzi, one of Leboles former workers who kindly agreed to talk with us, put it:
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Yet, the organization of work at Lebole did not allow these women to demonstrate their skills. Rather, the introduction of MTM was preceded by a period of study, where expert consultants would observe, film and carefully time each of the workers movement in order to determine the most effective ways of scripting their workflows and movements, de facto expropriating them of their knowledges. Yet, the organization of work at Lebole did not allow these women to demonstrate their skills. Rather, the introduction of MTM was preceded by a period of study, where expert consultants would observe, film and carefully time each of the workers movement in order to determine the most effective ways of scripting their workflows and movements, de facto expropriating them of their knowledges.
The MTM (Methods-Time Measurement) method was first introduced in 1964 in only one of the three Lebole's industrial pavillions, which was quickly nicknamed the “American department”. At first, the workers selected to participate in the experimental production line were envied by the others, as they were see as being considered the best one. But very soon this initial perception changed into concern, as rumors begun to spread about the loss of freedom and brutal rhythms required by the reorganized work process. MTM was first implemented in 1964 in only one of the three Lebole's industrial pavillions, which was quickly nicknamed the “American department”. At first, the workers selected to participate in the experimental production line were envied by the others, as they were see as being considered the best one. But very soon this initial perception changed into concern, as rumors begun to spread about the loss of freedom and brutal rhythms required by the reorganized work process.
As the MTM methods were rolled out across the entire production line, the health of the Leboline (informal name used by and for the workers at Lebole) begun to take a toll. Faintings, including mass fainting episodes, nervous breakdowns, and depression begun to spread. One of the workers reported how she couldnt stop thinking about the same movements that she had to repeat all day long even when she was at home or in her sleep. Another one decided to end her own lifeand walk under a train during a break. In an attempt to limit the absences claimed for illness, the company doctors would frequently prescribe booster injections. As MTM was rolled out across the entire production line, the health of the Leboline (informal name used by and for the workers at Lebole) begun to take a toll. Faintings, including mass fainting episodes, nervous breakdowns, and depression begun to spread. One of the workers reported how she couldnt stop thinking about the same movements that she had to repeat all day long even when she was at home or in her sleep. Another one decided to end her own lifeand walk under a train during a break. In an attempt to limit the absences claimed for illness, the company doctors would frequently prescribe booster injections.
As workers struggles and unionization efforts grew stronger and stronger across the country, the Leboline also begun to organize against the conditions of exploitation that impacted their lives. As workers struggles and unionization efforts grew stronger and stronger across the country, the Leboline also begun to organize against the conditions of exploitation that impacted their lives.