book chapter

EN LA AGUJA Y EL PEDAL ECHéLA HEIL: Puerto Rican women in the garment industry of New York City, 1920-1980

puerto rican women and work : bridges in transitional labor • Philadelphia • Published In 1996 • Pages: 55-81

By: Ortiz, Altagracia.

Abstract

This is the story of Puerto Rican garment workers to better their lives and their failure to do so for reasons beyond their control. They were victims of racism and sexism by both factory and union bosses. The former assigned them less lucrative jobs in the industry and the latter denied them entrance into the union locals which controlled the higher paying jobs. The industry began its downward spiral in the 1950s. A change in fashion to informal wear lead to the deskilling of the industry, which resulted in less pay. Cheaper imports, and loss of jobs to the south and overseas reduced employment opportunities. The low wages paid to Puerto Rican garment workers allowed the industry to survive into the 1960s.

HRAF PubDate

2002

Region

North America

Sub Region

Regional, Ethnic and Diaspora Cultures

Document Type

book chapter

Evaluation

Creator Type

Historian

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2000

Field Date

1984

Coverage Date

1920-1980

Coverage Place

New York, N.Y., United States

Notes

Altagracia Ortiz

Includes bibliographical references

LCCN

95043822

LCSH

Puerto Ricans--United States