for a manufacturing company that has to seriously compete on an international level, there's always gonna be other industrial countries that can undercut them (countries in SE asia, and china, for example) because of the pro-employer laws there... as opposed to the 35 hour week, which is pro-employee.

but hey, if we can't reap the benefits of living in a post-industrial society, then what the hell are we all trying to achieve here?
hehe