You make-ey my iPhrone, chop-chop!

Apple may be big geniuses when it comes to computer design, but when it comes to managing their slave-wage supply chain... eh, not so much.

It's tempting to get upset about things like labor strikes and terrible working conditions for poor people in developing countries, but let's keep things in their proper perspective: the important thing is that I get my pre-ordered iPhone 5 before you do.  Hands off!  

Now get back to work, you lazy Chinamen, my iPhone isn't going to assemble itself!  Chop-chop!   

(Sheesh, if the Chinese keep up their bitching and whining we may just have to outsource their jobs to America, where it's every desperate man for himself and workers shut up and do what they're told.  It's so hard to find good help these days.)

Foxconn workers strike over iPhone 5 demands, labor group says

By Julianne Pepitone

October 6, 2012 | CNNMoney

URL: http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/05/technology/mobile/foxconn-iphone-5-strike/index.html?source=cnn_bin

Coordinated international complaints about Walmart's supply chain

I'm pleasantly surprised at how savvy Thai labor rep's are.  Here's an awesome quote:

"Globalization for the working poor of the world means that American warehouse workers today have more in common with factory workers in Thailand's shrimp and pineapple factories than with the one-percenters in their own country who profit from their labor.  [ That might blow your mind but it's undeniably true. - J ]  Hyper-exploitation is the global labor standard Walmart has chosen to pursue.  This just means the fight for justice for Walmart's workers is that much bigger. Thailand may seem far away to the Walton heirs, but we are going to bring the plight of Thai workers to the suburbs of Arkansas. You bring home the profits, you bring home the struggle too," said Chancee Martorell, executive director of the Thai Community Development Center, representing the Thai workers.

Blame and shame -- often that's what it takes to get corporations to at least pay lip service to corporate social responsibility and responsible supply chains.  

Walmart Workers Paint Graphic Picture of Working Conditions Throughout Supply Chain

August 9, 2012 | Warehouse Workers United

URL:  http://www.warehouseworkersunited.org/walmart-workers-paint-graphic-picture-of-working-conditions-throughout-supply-chain/