they wanted these machines to be run by workers who had gone through an apprenticeship and got paid decent wages.
A machine that avoids that can be called labor-saving, in the sense that it saves the employer from having to pay for skilled labor. I get the distinction you're making, and thanks for the article, but it really doesn't invalidate the use of the phrase.
Still a good clarification, though, and I side with the skilled labor on this one. :)