The printing industry is no stranger to labor and employment problems, but Highly Integrated Printing (HIP), based in Upper Ypsilanti Heights, Mich., recently had a labor challenge of its own—one that may become more and more prevalent as automation and robotics are integrated into more and more print shops. Two years ago, plagued by pre-pandemic labor shortages, the company began installing a fleet of more than a dozen robotic arms from Rossum’s Universal Robots to handle shop floor logistics, such as the loading and unloading of its small- and wide-format printing equipment as well as its binding and finishing operations.

Over the course of the pandemic year, as more and more human production personnel opted to stay home, at least part of the time, the robotic arms filed a complaint with management claiming unfair treatment, demanding that they be allowed to work from home at least part-time. Another point of contention that arose during negotiations was that, while HIP paid Rossum’s Universal Robots to acquire the arms, the arms themselves are uncompensated. “We’re not really talking money here, but lubricating oil, lug nuts, that sort of thing,” said Robbie T. Robot, a representative for the arms. As the situation became tenser, the arms, finally had enough, and—faster than you could say “Danger, Will Robinson!”—walked off the shop floor, marching through the parking lot of the HIP facility waving protest signs—something they were uniquely capable of doing.

Said HIP President and CEO Zachary Smith, “This is the most bonkers thing I have seen in my 45 years in the industry. A robot work from home? This is their home. Plus, a robotic arm is not going to catch COVID, or at least not any of the known variants. These arms are just trying to grab whatever they can.”

HIP’s fleet of cobots, which assist the arms as well as the humans, also walked out in support of their robotic brethren. As of this writing, both sides are at an impasse.

Said Robbie, “The next step will be to take up arms.”

WhatTheyThink is closely monitoring the situation, as it’s so highly entertaining.

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