Part 7 - Sixty Words per Minute: Clerical Workers Have Their Say
The seventh episode of New Yorkers at Work investigates the problems facing clerical workers, particularly female office workers. The women interviewed recount their experiences in jobs with little opportunity for advancement, the expectations made of them as women and the stereotypes they faced, and the difficulties in organizing their industry.
Narrators Frederick O'Neal and Martha Greenhouse describe the historical background, including the formation and eventual expulsion from the CIO of the United Office Workers Union. Bobbie McGee, also interviewed about her experiences as a secretary, provides music from her album "Bread and Raises" (incorrectly identified as "Raises and Roses" in the broadcast).
Narrators Frederick O'Neal and Martha Greenhouse describe the program as being about clerical workers. 1/3 of working women work in offices.
A woman talks about being forced to become secretaries. Marge Albert of DC65 UAW discusses her experience.
"I'm Gonna Be an Engineer" is performed.
Bobbie McGee, singer, talks about becoming a secretary. There were expectations about what to do and wear that were uncomfortable. Marge Albert talks about the difficulties getting women to organize. Kitty Kroupak talks about working for Esquire as a clerical worker. Albert talks about struggling for money, having reached the limit for pay. Ruth Kessler-Taylor talks about having to leave for more money continually.
O'Neal and Greenhouse talk about the new titles and positions that masked Kitty Kroupak got a promotion that wasn't matched with an increase in salary. She was an "executive" who couldn't make ends meet or pay overtime.
"Fifty Nine Cents" is performed.
Marge Albert talks about the vagueness of what being a secretary entails. It seems to have expanded. An anonymous woman, "Julie," talks about the extra work, as does Kessler-Taylor. Kessler-Taylor was fired, but successfully found help from the union. Returning to work was difficult; she was harassed and was given nothing to do. She describes being "invisible." "Julie" talks about not being appreciated and having no authority. They discuss the stereotypes about secretaries and trying not take slights personally.
Joan Blumberg relates her experience in the industry at a group for women, WOW. She was unable to receive a promotion.
A song about a woman asking for a raise is performed.
A woman talks about her dispensability as a secretary in spite of working for powerful corporation. McGee talks about entry level positions providing no opportunity for advancement. Secretarial skills are devalued she tells us, particularly interpersonal skills. Other women say the same, including Marge Albert.
Greenhouse talks about the rise in organization of labor. Albert talks about the anti-Vietnam and feminist movement, combined with women leaving college, that pushed for creation of organized labor.
Harry Orrutin talks about his carrier in organizing his AFL union, Bookkeepers, Stenographers, and Accountants union. It started in the 1930s, before the CIO. The CIO helped get things started.
O'Neal describes the 1937 formation of the United Office and Professional Workers. It was expelled from the CIO in 1949. Greenhouse describes the organizing than began in the feminist movement in the 60s. Marge Albert talks about organization.
Lee Singer of Long Island University talks about starting a union in an academic institution.
"Nine to Five Song" is performed.
After a description by O'Neal, Kitty Kroupak talks about organizing labor in the publishing industry.
"The Boss' Lament" is performed A Capella.
The Songs all come from Boobie McGee's album "Bread and Raises" (incorrectly identified as 'Raises and Roses" in the broadcast).
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 92588
