Home
Search transcripts:    Advanced Search
Notable New     Yorkers
Select     Notable New Yorker

Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
Photo Gallery
Transcript

Part:         Session:         Page of 912

They met with this man, and the workers would go over every detail of the work and make complaints about things that did not suit them, make suggestions, make recommendations, and in general act as consultants.”

I said, “Are they in a position to make requests that a foreman be removed?”

“Oh, yes. They make that request most frequently. That's one of the most frequent requests. They don't like a foreman.”

“Well,” I said, “is he ever removed?”

“Oh, sometimes. Sometimes.”

“May they make requests for changes in hours of labor?”

“Yes--but of course the production has to be kept up. If they can show that this change, shortening hours, would still keep up production, that will be discussed with them. That will be discussed with them.”

“Well,” I said, “do they ever achieve it?”

“It is discussed with them.”

Well, of course, the wages, the money they get for the work, is controlled by the principal governing body which is an economic body. It's an economic body, and it decides how much can be paid for these jobs.

At any rate, I said to him, “Well, you see, that hardly suits the definition of a labor union in a free country.” I didn't say “a free country.” “...in a country like ours where we do not have such careful planning by the Government for the





© 2006 Columbia University Libraries | Oral History Research Office | Rights and Permissions | Help