eddyboog,
You appear to have made an assumption (!) that New Technology = Improvement for the Workers.
Actually, the equation is New Technology = Cost Savings for management.
Its a wee bit more complicated as 'Hangers-On', 'Free Lunches' (part of 'Gravy Train' that you have ID'd), 'beancounters', 'Jobs for boys', 'Stuff You' and other variables are involved, but left out for clarity.
Yours cynically,
Bigears