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National Envelope Co.

Workers are being asked to do more even as their benefits shrink, says Juan Roman, vice president of the local union that represents workers at National Envelope Co. in Westfield, Mass.

Workers are being asked to do more even as their benefits shrink, says Juan Roman, vice president of the local union that represents workers at National Envelope Co. in Westfield, Mass.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The relentless drive for efficiency at U.S. companies has created a new harshness in the workplace.
Read more: As employers push efficiency, the daily grind wears down workers

National Envelope

National Envelope Co. has raised quotas and reduced benefits in recent years, and it no longer offers small perks such as annual picnics.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Lisa Weber

“It’s harder for me to want to get up and go to work than it used to be,” says Lisa Weber, who has worked at National Envelope Co. since she was 19. “I’m worn out. I get home and I can barely stand up.”  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

National Envelope

The company contends that tough measures have enabled people like Weber to keep working there at all. “Sometimes you have to make dramatic changes to save the jobs that you can,” one executive said.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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