Attrition
A natural redcution in work force as a result of resignations, retirements or death. Most unionized companies cannot unilaterally reduce their employment levels to cut costs, so management must rely on attrition to provide openings that they, in turn, do not fill. Because the median ages of work forces at the integrated mills may be more than 50, an increasing number of retirments may provide these companies with added flexibility to improve their competitiveness.
