Employment and Trade Unions

million women employed - 42% of workforce 80% of women workers in domestic service, clothing trades and textile industry They ‘lived in’, worked long hours for poor pay Earned half a mans salary for doing the same job

Employment and Trade Unions Technology led to 97% of women in office work Women however had to give up their job when they were married Telegraph Exchange 1871

Employment and Trade Unions Women worked through the TU’s to improve their conditions Although numbers did not increase until after 1870s due to opposition from men Men believed they were entitled to the higher wage as they were the ‘bread winner’

Employment and Trade Unions Increase membership from 21,085 in 1877 to 437,000 in 1914 Why? Strong membership in Lancashire cotton unions but excluded from general TU’s until mid century 1875 attended the TUC

Trade Unions 1893 first women factory inspector Although TUs failed to make an impact on domestic service were 1.5 million were working However by outbreak of war women had achieved improvements but still lagged behind

Activity Describe the main cause, the events and the outcome of the Match Girls’ strike in 1889 In what ways could the strike and its outcome be described as ‘a landmark victory for women’s rights?

Lack of education Little chance of education for working class women Role was either in the factory or at home They were to be content and behave themselves!

Middle class Most were educated by a governess who taught them how to read, knit, sew play the piano and paint The girls were educated to be good wives and mothers male educationalists believed that the stress of education could damage the health of a young girl instead they needed rest

Change in education 1848 Queens college in London was founded as a training college for women teachers, set new standards of education in girls schools

Taunton Commission in 1868 Set up to enquire into the education of boys, included girls schools at last minute due to Emily Davis Found a deficiency in girls education, solely on domestic duties and ‘accomplishments’ Some good schools e.g. academic schools such as Cheltenham Ladies college founded by early feminist pioneers. However in the minority

Debate over the nature of reform 1st school of thought: make education for girls as good as but different from boys 2 nd school of thought: girl’s education should be identical to boys All agreed an increase in number of good schools for girls

Emily Davis Campaigned to gain women the right to university Opened a school for women in 1869 later known as Girton college Followed by Newnham Hall by Jemima Clough

Summary Oxford University and 4 in Scotland enrolled women in 1879 By turn of century more middle class women going into higher education and into professions By end of Victorian era there is no doubt that the causes of women’s rights had made significant progress but they still had no voting rights