LABOUR CONDITIONS

Perhaps a contrast on labour conditions then and now would be of interest. At first employment shiftmen were working twelve hours per day, seven days a week. The change over to eight hours per day was adopted shortly after I began working with no reduction in pay. If landing men on the moon was a "giant step forward" so was the change from twelve to eight hour work days. One could scarce do more than eat, sleep and work. From June '29 to est. mid. '32 we worked eight hours each day seven days each week, i.e. two week 4 PM to Mn shift, two weeks 8 AM to 4 PM and two weeks Mn to 8 am to complete the cycle. Our longest period of time off was the so called "long change", thirty-two hours - from 8 AM Sat to 4 PM Sunday, every six weeks. We would usually drive to the city, without sleep, to break the monotony, acquiring supplies if needed, to see a motion picture, then return home to sleep 1 AM to 1 PM to report for work again at 4 PM. In 1932 our Co., trying to employ as many as possible, reduced our work week from seven to six and shortly after to a five day week. It affected our pay cheque by $40 a month but no one complained as we were grateful to be kept on during the trying time.

The present holiday and vacation system was unknown at that time. Anyone required, or choosing to work "spare", Christmas Day was paid double time. No other holiday was recognized. In 1936 our foreman came to ask us if we would like a vacation. When speech returned none refused. We could take two weeks off he said but we would be required to work them on our week days off. The following year our company gave us two weeks vacation with pay. Long service was rewarded by increased vacation time, i.e. three weeks beginning in 1950, and four weeks in 1954. There were limited sick benefits in 1929 should anyone be off more than a week, which benefits were improved as time went on. Of all the blessings of employment certainly medical benefits in those trying times were appreciated the most by those unfortunate enough to be hospitalized.

Our new company had a reasonable new pension plan retroactive after a year's service which we, for fourteen years, are enjoying to the full.

by R.L. Oborne
From: IN THE LIGHT OF THE FLARE pg 60