Piecework Survey


We are doing research to support a presentation on piecework that will be presented at our '05 convention. Most warehouse operators in North America pay their employees by the hour. For many years, employment services commonly known as "lumpers" have offered piecework pricing for loading and unloading of trucks and rail cars. More recently, a few of these employment service firms have offered to run every aspect of the warehouse on piecework. In other words, receiving, put-away, picking, packing and shipping can all be purchased at a piecework price. We have identified a few dry public warehouses and wholesale distributors who buy piecework services. We need to learn more about piecework in  the PRW  industry.  Responses from members outside the US would be helpful also. Please help us with a prompt reply to this short questionnaire:

Name      
Company 

1. Have you ever purchased labor services in your warehouse on a piecework basis? (if you answer no, skip the rest of the survey)
   yes  no  

2. Did you purchase piecework through: (check which apply)
    an employment agency     directly from Labor market

3. Have you used piece work compensation for anything other then loading or unloading?   
   yes    no

4. If so, describe what other services you paid at a piecework rate.

5. If you used an employment service, please tell us which service you used and who we could interview at that company?

6. Has your experience with piecework been fully satisfactory?
   yes    no

7. If not, what problems have you experienced?