The daily worker., 1927-03-05
By CHARLES ASHLEIGH

come a waiter--later-in -first-class hotel the
parents often save just enough for the boys third
class fare to London. Once in London penniess and
friendless, not knowing the language. the boy is
compelled to take any Job the employment agent
offers, however vile the conditions
No better than the lot of the private domestic
workers is that Of those who labor in the hotels and
expensive clubs Of London. Recently for instance
the British labor press gave details of cases which
had come to the knowledge of the newIy-formed
Domestic and Hotel Workers Union A girl of H.
for instance, employed as kitehenmaid at we'll
known conservative club in London, works 80 hours
week for eight shillingsl She also complains tha.
her life is made miserable by the continual nageing
and bullying to which she is INFECTED. This is no
unusual instance but is typical Of the cases Of
thousands of young girls, in scores of hotels or
residential clubs in the fashionable parts Of London
The Infamous exploitation of young girls in do
mestic service-Inany of whom are from country
villages, and have no friends advisers in the city
has led 10 many Of them, in desperation adopting
the career Of prostitution in preference to the mis-
cradle life Of kitchen slave.
Another section of domestic workers consists of
those who 1--we at home. but work either by the hour
or the day. for a family, or for several families
These usually married women-often widows
with children TO support, the wives Of unemployed
workers One typical case was revealed recently in
letter from Of these domestic workers to the
Sunday Worker" the well-known militant left
wing newspaper The writer says.
"At my last job was promised fifteen shillines
a week and my first pay day l received only
twelve shings after an awful argument. Cash
was left lying all over the house. probably 10 see
if would steal it! Food there was in plenty, but
being paid by the hour all that was allowed was
cap Of tea. The children Of the house had lots
Of toys and playthngs What chance has my
Kid at home OF toys on my miserable paw"
The above affecting document is merely typical
Of the cases Of thousands of others These domestic
workers like their brothers and sisters who live
on the job. working in the houses of the rich or
in afflueut hotels are nearly all unorganzed 1t is
one Of the worst examples of negligence that the
british Trade Union movement has ignored these
exploited workers. Time and time again, delegates
to various labor bodies especially women delegates
have emphasized the need for the organization
and classcouscious education of domestic and hotel
workers. but the bureaucracy of the British trade
union movement. with its usual sloth and lack Of
initiative, has failed to respond
Quite recently. however BEGINNING has been
made Not through the efforts of trade union lead
however, but by the initiative of rank-and-fiIe
workers and left-wing mitants. Within the last
eight months. the Domestic and Hotel Workers
Union has been formed and has already set on foot
an energetic campaien.
series of articles bv Comrade Leonard Mason
the London organizer Of the union, in the Sunday
Worker, elected number of responses from do
nestle workers The first few months of the unions
existence has shown that even among domestic
workers, there is desire for organization, and
that more militant sprit-reflected possibly from
the industrial workers-is taking the place of the
old habit of servility
Domestic workers in Britain were especially inter-
ested to read in the "Sunday Worker" of the very
different conditions of domestic workers in the II.
S. s. r. The example of their Russian brothers and
sisters will inspire them to real efforts towards a
new standard Of work and living. II is hoped that
the new union will grow stronger and stronger and
that when the next general strike occurs in Britain,
the rich peope will have to sweep their floors,
wash their own dishes, and cook their own food
il they get any