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Interview
409, LO/029/C29
Leicester Oral History Archive

Speaker: Women in Industry, - , Interviewee, ,
Speaker: , Interviewer,

Summary of interview item: Women in Industry. Compilation of interview extracts by women recalling their experiences in Leicester's industries from the 1930s. Recollections by women who worked in the boot and shoe industry include the conditions in the factories, time keeping, working hours and the machinery. Women who worked in the hosiery industry for such firms as Byford, Swann and Wolsey, describe the machines they used, various processes, the Bedaux system and trade union action taken against the Bedaux system. The experiences of women workers during the Second World War are recalled, with women moving from the hosiery and other industry into engineering, armaments and other war work. Firms recalled are Cherub, British United and Vickers Armstrong. Details of wages, work conditions, movement between jobs, welfare and other aspects of women's wartime life, including entertainment are given. Leicester industries after the war are recalled, including new changes such as bonus schemes and time and motion, the effects of power shortages in 1947 and growth of closed shop trade unions from 1950. Trade union growth and the advances in obtaining breaks, paid holidays, working hours and pay that the unions helped to achieve are described. Contributors to the compilation are: J. Sumpter, P. Goddard, K. Boyall, M. Pepper, H. Wells, A. Harris, O. Rudkin, F. Whymant, M. Hillebrand, E. Tansley, L. Ball, F. Dangerfield, O. Hutchins and Anon.
Place of birth:
Education:
Marital Status: , Children:
Father's Occupation:
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Leicester
Periods Covered: 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
Language: English

Recording Date: 1/1/1989
Playing time: 60 mins
Access Restrictions: Restricted Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:

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Last updated: 08/05/02
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