7. Women and trade unions in the period to 1945

Question 1

women’s concern for much of the period

Answer 1

limiting their exploitation

Question 2

for much of the period women paid

Answer 2

lower wages than men

even though they did the same job

Question 3

what womens trade union was established in 1903

Answer 3

the Women’s Trade Union Leauge WTUL

Question 4

what was the aim of the Women’s Trade Union League (established in 1903)

Answer 4

encourage women to organise themselves into unions

Question 5

what was the Women’s Trade Union League encouraged by

Answer 5

fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in 1911

killed 145 workers

Question 6

why was the Women’s Trade Union League involved in the franchise campaign

Answer 6

saw gaining the vote as the best way to ensure that conditions at work were improved

Question 7

What did WTUL want? how did this bring it into conflict with male unions?

Answer 7

8 hour working day
a minimum wage
male unions believed it was their role to negotiate over such issues

Question 8

not all male unions supported the women’s campaign for equal pay and the ones that did

Answer 8

often did so to stop firms employing women because they were cheaper

Question 9

what did WW2 see

Answer 9

dramatic increase in number of women in workforce, some of whom joined existing male unions