WORK.—Works at a large place about five minutes' walk away (not the same place where she learned). There are four rooms of women. N. M. works in a room on the third floor, where there are 80 women under two forewomen, sisters. In this room folding, stitching, gathering and sewing (hand) is done.
In the fourth room there are 12 girls doing machine sewing.
The two lower floor rooms each have about 10 or 12 girls. In one of them laying-on of gold is done.
She herself does stitching, folding and gathering, hardly ever sewing.
REGULARITY.—Orders are very slack sometimes, especially just now (August). There had been a great deal of sitting idle, and they had only been making 6s. or 7s. per week. They did not like to go "out to grass" for fear of losing work if it should chance to come in. It was difficult to get off for a holiday. Sometimes they were told at 1 p.m. that they could go home.
HEALTH.—Gold laying-on was unhealthy. The dust got on the chest. Folding and Sewing were very tiring, because "you are sitting in one position all day." Gathering is the most pleasant, because you walk about and get a little exercise that way.
PROSPECTS.—There is not much chance of rising. The forewoman and under-forewoman are sisters, and stay on and on. If one of them were to give up, her successor would be taken from the time workers. The piece workers might rise to be time workers, if they cared.
13. Bookbinding Firm in London. Employée's Evidence.
WORK.—This informant was engaged at gold laying-on exclusively, but was originally a folder and sewer.
REGULARITY.—In this firm it is a seasonal trade, and slack sometimes as well. She left M. because of slackness.