Lowell+Girls+and+Strike+Rhetoric

http://www.movieweb.com/tv/TVetLjehBZKMii/HUfmJkglscbuigThe Lowell Girls and Strike Rhetoric

Women and girls who worked in the Lowell Mills experienced discontent among themselves almost from the beginning. Workers were often discharged for minor, undefined offenses such as “misconduct,” “impudence,” “dissatisfaction with wages,” or “mutiny.” By 1834, approximately one-sixth of the work force turned out to parade downtown, give speeches, hold meetings and other actions which were all thought to be improper for women of the time. Their actions didn’t give them any credibility, only made their opinions known. The all-male National Trades Union encouraged them, but didn’t give them any help in organizing or money. Only lip service.

When the strikers switched to using rhetoric connected with the Revolutionary War, emphasizing patriotism as witnessed in the young country seeking independence from England, their cause took on new meaning for more people. Using the words “daughters of freemen” in their rhetoric enabled them to express pride in their efforts. Male labor movements used this rhetoric and the female mill workers legitimized their cause by aligning it with men. Both sexes viewed themselves as “direct heirs of the revolutionary tradition.” The wage cuts were then not just economic factors, but viewed as attempts to enslave women and deprive them of their independence.

The first significant strike in 1834 happened during a slump in sales, so it didn’t have as much effect. There was less demand for what they produced, so it didn’t bother the mill owners if there was less supply. Basic economics. On the other hand, in 1836, sales were up and there was already a shortage of mill workers, so the effect of a strike would be greater. A fourth of the operators, approximately 1500-2000, turned out to strike in the second effort of 1836. As a result, the mills ran below capacity for several months. The women also formed the Factory Girls Association with a membership of 2500 at this time. The result was that the women paid the old price for room and board and not the higher fees the mill owners wanted. That was one of the main reasons for the strike. The severe depression of 1837 ended phase one of the labor struggles, but women’s consciousness had been raised about what their labor was worth. They also now truly viewed themselves as “daughters of freemen.” In the 1840's the "Ten Hour Movement" took shape.

Source: http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/lowstr.html kathomp07