To retain skilled employees instead of letting them go when demand falls, Lincoln Electric trains employees for other tasks in the company. The Cleveland-based manufacturer of welding and cutting parts has integrated the approach in all its operations, so that it can guarantee employment for all employees who have been with the company for three or more years. This policy has worked for 60 years. Other companies such as Nestle and Apex Precision Technology accomplish the same goal of keeping their employees as demand fluctuates by using part-time arrangements with the employees.

Required
Discuss whether manufacturing labor should be considered a fixed or a variable cost at these companies.