The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-06-01
Condition of Skilled
Workers in New
Bedford

REPRESENTATIVES of the Labor Research
~ Assn have completed study OF conditions
among group of skilled workers in New Bed
ford Mass, home of the fine cotton goods in.
dllstry of New England The workers were in
terviewed last fall, since when conditions In the
mills have become much worse than those dcs-
cribed in the survey. The workers were EN-.
ployed in such mills as Booth, Beacon, Neild,
Gosnold, Nashawena and Pierce.
Hours and Unemployment
The working year for those workers who are
most fully employed extends over only six to
nine months out of the twelve. The remaining
months of the year these workers are unem-
ployed. Many of them report being employed
only three months during year and con-
siderable number Of those interviewed were rn-
able to find any employment at all during the
past year. ut is estimated that at least 900
former textile workers in New Bedford are with
out work in the mills) Of those who have
jobs a considerable number are employed only
two to four days week.
A working day of 8M hours prevails In most
of the plants, but some of the workers reported
working ga to 10 hours day.
Wages Dropping
When employed full time these skilled New
Bedford workers average about $22 a week, but
the slack weeks bring the average down to about
81 to $40. More recently doffers in one mill
have been averaging $12 to s13 week, willis
weavers have been making $14 to SIS. Many
of the workers during the last year, due to part-
time work, have been unable to make more than
$25 to 500 for the entire period. Others, who
have worked with comparative steadiness, have
averaged about 5000 year. But even these are
heard to complain that you can't make liv-
ing wage in the mill" or my children are In
an orphans home for can't support them"
Still later reports from L. R. A. correspon-
dents in New Bedford tell of Dartmouth Mil
weaver who earned $2.29 for three days work.
and Of another who drew only S3.07 for five
days During the last year, cuts as high as
45qo have been put over in this mill. In April.
1881, a weaver received s2.7o for 100000 picks.
Now he receives only $1.3o for the same work.
All the workers interviewed reported an in.
crease in the speed-up in the New Bedford mills.
Weavers on fancy looms tell of running from 10
to l6 looms instead of to 8 as formerly. And
loomfixers are required to care for 60 looms
instead of 40. The speed-up requires the work.
ec to go much faster and more bad work"
is thus produced. If the boss marks the work
as bad" the worker is fired from the Sob.
Practically all the workers interviewed report
much greater fatigue as result Of the speed
up system Most workers suffer from nervous
sickness and rheumatism. my health Is On
the point Of breaking" one said, while seward
reported that they could not afford q doctor.
After their energies have been Slapped BY long
years of work in the mills the older ones re-
port: They say you're too old at 49," or They
want only young men,"
Sanitation and Accidents
Almost half the workers reported no available
washing facilities whatsoever in their mills; hot
water is on tap in only few plants. Some
workers also report dampness while others re-
port excessive heat Regular temperature up to
95 degrees was found, while in the winter tho
temperature was often too low for comfortable
work. Accidents are caused by dipp3y docee,
flying shuttles and unguarded machinery.