| Wages
The following information was sent to the Board
of Trade on 20 April 1866. It shows the hours worked and wages of
workpeople in the 'Worsted District'.
For all jobs, except spinning:
Men and boys work 60 hours per week.
Women and girls work 55 hours per week.
Spinners:
Boys and girls work 36 hours per week.
| Job |
Wages of … |
| |
Men |
Boys |
Women |
Girls |
| Head of department in dyehouse |
£2.50 |
|
|
|
| Engine tenters |
£2.00 |
|
|
|
| Overlookers |
£1.75 |
|
|
|
| Mechanics, smiths, joiners |
£1.45 |
48 p |
|
|
| Wool sorters |
£1.40 |
|
|
|
| Makers up |
£1.20 |
|
|
|
| Packers |
£1.10 |
|
|
|
| Assistants |
£1.10 |
|
|
|
| Engine stokers |
£1.05 |
|
|
|
| Engine feeders |
£1.00 |
|
|
|
| Dyers |
90 p |
90 p |
|
|
| Weavers |
90 p |
|
60 p |
|
| Warehouseman |
85 p |
|
|
|
| Wool washers |
83 p |
60 p |
|
|
| Machine wool combers |
70 p |
55 p |
|
|
| Reelers |
|
|
65 p |
|
| Drawers |
|
|
48 p |
|
| Spinners 1 |
|
3-20 p |
35-50 p |
13-20 p |
The total weekly wage bill for Ripleys in 1877
was £947.10, to employ 655 people.
- List differences between the wages
of, and hours worked, by of different kinds of workpeople.
- Look at the jobs of the highest paid workers.
Why were some people paid more than the others? Was this fair?
Explain what you think.
|