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