WORK IN THE SHIPYARDS
Work in the shipyards was tough. The working day started just after 6am and went on until 5.30pm. If you were late then you were locked out of the shipyard altogether. The average wage was approximately £1 a week with one week’s holiday in the summer, two days at Christmas and two days at Easter. Even trips to the lavatories (known as the minutes) were timed – seven minutes per worker per day was the rule.
Unskilled labourers would have to compete in daily hiring session which took place in the ‘Village Square’ in the shipyard. Each morning the foreman would pick his casual workers from the assembled crowd. There were no attempts at any equality of employment or rights – whether or not you were picked often simply rested on whether the foreman liked the look of you or not. Not getting picked meant not getting paid.
Inside the yard the foreman’s word still ruled. Your prospects of promotion and which jobs you were selected for also depended on the foreman.
Despite these tough working conditions competition for apprenticeships was fierce. Families of young boys would pay to assure an apprenticeship with the prospect of a good position upon completion. Apprenticeships usually started from the age of 14 and lasted for five years.