6 Answers

PEOPLELOVER

Karma: 157299

In Australia I would guess about two pounds a week. Our soldiers were paid six shillings a day for the full seven days ie 42shillings a week in WW1.
In WW2 they got 7 shillings a day.
I commenced work aged 14yrs and got 29 shillings and 2 pence a week in 1946. In dollar terms that is $2.92.

13 years ago. Rating: 2
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eggplant

Long ago, I spoke to an elderly man, who worked in a shop in those days. He said, he was paid five shillings a week. Not only, that he slept behind the counter every night. That was in Australia.

commented 13 years ago

PEOPLELOVER

How thing have changed. Don`t know if all for the better. We had nothing but neither did anyone elses but one thihg we did have was time for oneanother.

commented 13 years ago

friendindeed

Karma: 86572

Hold on I will go look at my first wage packet and get back to you. Will take a while as I am now 102 years old...lol

13 years ago. Rating: 2
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matheneyg

Karma: 90656

about 5 $ a week for most workers

13 years ago. Rating: 1
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ole hipster

Karma: 76855

Before the Shirtwaist Workers Strike IN 1909 it was roughly about $6 per week...you'd have to do the math or investigate it yourself

13 years ago. Rating: 1
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lindaanne

Karma: 205

Before the fire in 1911in NY CITY garmet workers WERE NOT UNION worked 10~ 12 hrs day and no rules or child work laws existed. The workers tried to start a union but jobs were lost and nothing was being gained because no laws existed to protect the workers. Fire alarms existed but were not manitory. Fire stations did exist but ladders did not extend, I believe , above the third floor. I believe at that time workers received between 3 and 6 dollars a week. No overtime was paid and no health,life or insurence of any kind was advaiable to the workers.Before 1909 workers may be station all over the garment districk but around 1910 the workers were housed in one area. Their were usually two sets of stairs but one was resticted so that workers could not steal scraps of material and take it home with them. Their bags were checked for scraps and if found were fired on the spot.
Most floors the workers were jamed in with about 50 employee per floor.
I remenber it well. not! I am glad" we have come a long way baby" since then. Did they have lunch breaks? Where were the bathrooms? Some building had lifts-who could use them? only the boss? what did you do if you got hurt on the Job? What did you do if you got sick? They had phones but most worker did not, how could you call out sick? Other questions exist but some we will never know. Yes the owners had insurance for the owners protection but not for the employees. SAD days for all those worker, the lad to come to find freedom and richesHMMMMM

13 years ago. Rating: 1
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nomdeplume

Work conditions are not much better than this today in India, China and the Phillipines, but we consume the goods they produce without a thought for the workers.

commented 13 years ago

lindaanne

Karma: 205

I think about this every x I buy something. I look @ the label. HOW few items are made in the US?
IF and I Mean IF the product are made, produce, in the GOOD USA. Items, phone calls, credit card help, security, all sent or handled by persons who, may speak a little English! SiSfter they are made, produce, being made,etc... in the US they are sent elsewhere to be assembled made into clothing, shoes, hats, medical equipment, phone services for many many companies and yes BVD's ! Yet I SEE many, yes, many people migrate to the US and become better well-off than the ones born, label dare I say, breed here. My question is with a large WHY?