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APPENDIX 2
Conditions under which meals at work are eaten

Introduction

The following accounts have been taken as they stand from the note books of our field workers and are representative of most of the work places visited. The exceptionally bad places and the unusually good places have not been included as the impression that their inclusion might have given would be a false one.

These accounts are based on the visits of our Staff, not on the descriptions given by employers or employees.

Textiles

North West

Total employed: 400.

1. These young workers either bring their food or go out to small shops near at hand and buy pies and hot pot or fish and hot pot or fish and chips. There are no canteen or heating facilities, the girls sit on stools or the floor between the alleys of frames. There is a place where tea can be made. Each girl takes a canister of tea and one girl from an alley makes tea for the others.

The floor of the Mill is highly polished, most of the girls do their work bare-footed, being less likely to slip without shoes.

There is no stated break but it is possible to snatch a few minutes in which to eat a small lunch about 9 a.m.

2. The girls bring or buy their own food, pies, chips, etc., and eat it in the canteen. This canteen sells only tea and biscuits but food can be heated. The First-Aid Rooms are exceptionally well equipped. There are chairs and beds for resting also a well stocked dispensary and every facility for dealing with minor accidents and ailments. Whilst Interviewer was present several girls were given “Tonic” (Malt etc.) by the nurse who prescribes it for any girl who is not very fit.

3. (Only 12 girls between the ages of 14 - 18).

The food problem at this Mill seemed rather acute owing to the difficulties of obtaining a mid-day meal. The girls had, until recently, been buying pies, hot-pot and cakes from a confectioner who attended the Mill gates each day. Now owing to rationing he is unable to provide the food. There was no canteen but hot water was available for tea-making. The manager had suggested that one of the Air-Raid Shelters should be converted into a canteen and yet still be available for use as a shelter.

4. Number of girls employed between the ages of 14 - 18: 61.

There was a well equipped canteen in this factory with tables and chairs etc., and very pleasant surroundings. Tea, Cakes, milk and biscuits were obtainable. The girls bring their own food which can be heated in the canteen. The management also provide a rest room and club room with a flourishing social club.

North (Huddersfield)

5. Number employed: 800.

The conditions in this Mill were very much below the average. There were no facilities for washing. The children looked unhealthy and undersized and their food was often poor.

Midlands

6. Number employed: 250.

The girls and boys interviewed in this Mill seemed intelligent, well-spoken, healthy and well-fed. The relationship between employers and workers was excellent. Lunch and Tea breaks were permitted and a Mess Room was provided with chairs or forms, tables and heating facilities.

Clerical

North West (Blackppol)

1. The conditions of clerical workers (female) in Blackpool appeared to be good. No definite description of conditions has been given.

Distributive

North West

1. The room for meals was rather small and fly-blown, there were 6 half finished milk bottles lying about. The Ministry of Health had already inspected this room so there was a flurry and quick hiding away when the Interviewer appeared.

2. At an old fashioned China and Glass store the staff dining-room had recently been commandeered as an Air-Raid Shelter for the building, so the employer has taken the room opposite and is converting it into a dining-room and rest room.

Heavy Engineering

North East

1. Number employed: 250. About 20 Juveniles.

An old building which has been derelict for some years, a dark dusty atmosphere, draughty and badly ventilated. There were no washing arrangements or place for meals and the supervision of the boys was very slack. There didn’t seem to be very much work being done.

2. Number employed: 767. 133 Youths under 19.

Employees worked under very good conditions, the building being light and airy without being draughty. Practically no artificial light as blinds have replaced a permanent black-out which the management found to have a bad effect on production. Excellent supervision and co-operation between workers and management. The small canteen has been turned over entirely to the women, but the plans for a new works canteen are under consideration. There is also the prospect of a Welfare Officer being employed.

3. Number employed: 3,000.

There are canteens in this factory but they only accommodate a small proportion of the workers. The conditions under which these boys work is typical of the trade - dirty and smoky. But they are well looked after, places are set aside for meals and the management are considering setting up canteens. In this particular trade it is difficult to have definite hours off for meals.

4. There is a canteen set aside for meals, clean, airy and warm with tables, forms, chairs and a gas cooker. Shift work is mostly done by the girls and the manager stated that the girls were settling into their work very well.

5. The mess-room was a small dirty affair, no better than the smoky foundry, but it had the advantages of 2 or 3 tables, several forms and cupboards, a tap for washing (very rarely used) and an urn for tea making. This room was out of bounds for the boys under 20 years owing to their unseemly behaviour. They were a rough and undisciplined collection with no respect for their elders. Despite the mess-room being out of bounds for them they seemed to be quite satisfied with their works manager.

Light Engineering

Midlands

Owing to expansion as a result of war contracts many of the Light Engineering factories in this Region are without canteens. In some cases the canteens have been turned into workshops and in others new factories have sprung into being and they have no suitable accommodation for canteens. One manager suggested that the youngsters do not want to spend their money on food and that the only way to ensure a proper breakfast and midday meal was to supply it at the factory. It was suggested that the workers preferred the discomfort of a corner of the workshop where they can gossip freely to an organized canteen. There is a genuine effort by the Municipal authorities in Coventry to provide interest and entertainment for the young worker in his leisure hours.

The following are two examples of typical conditions in this Region:-

1. Number employed: No number stated, fairly large firm.

The workshop was airy and well-lighted with modern equipment. Cooking conveniences only at present but plans for a canteen are on the way. The Managing Director was most interested in the welfare of the workers and has had a private milk scheme in operation for 20 years. He had a census taken of conditions and discovered that 80% of his employees had no breakfast and waited to eat it till lunch time. The result was that the workers were fagged out by 12 o’clock. He therefore arranged for a quarter of an hour break both morning and afternoon. He discovered that smoking was going on in odd corners so now it is permissible in the workshop. There is a Welfare Officer and all the staff seem very happy and think extremely highly of their Managing Director.

2. Number employed: 200.

The workshops were large and airy and conditions generally seemed satisfactory. A room was set aside for meals to begin with but most workers preferred to remain in the shop so this was discontinued. The employees seemed distinctly slovenly and indolent which was greatly deplored by the management.

North East

3. Number employed: 30.

There was a room set aside for meals with tin topped tables, forms and a coal range in which pies could be heated. Tea was made by a general labourer, an elderly man in not too good health. He is also responsible for the good behaviour of the apprentices and the cleanliness of the canteen. Milk is available but very few take it as they object to paying full price.

North West

4. Number employed: 50.

The building was a large well heated and lighted and remarkably small part of the garage is provided for meals eaten at the works with tables, chairs, a fire and a radio. The secretary is most anxious that the workers should have every attention. At present a woman is employed to make the lunch break tea which is given to the employees. The management are making provision for a canteen of small dimensions and of a modest nature (as regards meals) but which will be bright and comfortable.

London and District

5. Light Engineering factories round Acton were proved to have good conditions and a happy atmosphere but they nearly all complained of a shortage of milk.

Number employed: 50

The buildings of this factory consisted of two sheds with a private house attached. Owing to the fact that the area had been very badly blitzed it was in a very exposed position. The atmosphere was a happy one, the girls having a room in the house with trestle tables and benches where they can eat their meals. Gas rings are provided but the boys have to eat their meals in the sheds. Everyone, even the Manager, had to bring sandwiches as there is nowhere to go in the half hour “dinner hour”. The manager seemed human and kind and most anxious that something should be done about the food question. The Welfare Officer said that many of the workers travel a long way and the shortage of food is a very serious matter.

6. Number employed: 22.

Factory established in January 1941. It was small and very dirty, everything appearing to be in general disorder. There was no room set aside for meals, the workers eat at their benches with the probable result that they had a fair proportion of dirt and metal filings with their meal. A basin for washing was provided.

7. Number employed: 150.

The employees in this factory had a modem room set aside for them. This room was light and airy, two sides of it being of glass. There were glass topped tables, chairs and an up-to-date counter with urns for tea, hot drinks and cakes etc. A wireless and magazines lying around added to the comfort of the room. The workers can have their food heated in an electric oven which holds double the amount required and every kind of convenience is provided except actually providing hot meals. There were radiators in the canteen and hot water is provided for washing. The factory is a family concern and the atmosphere extremely happy and contented. It is a very busy factory and many of the workers are working, with overtime, 65 hours a week.

8. Number employed: 45.

The conditions here were very good, the factory being light and airy. The Manager is interested in his workers beyond the confines of the factory and knows something of their environment apart from their work. It is hoped that a British Restaurant will be opened in this district shortly but in the meantime the Manager has turned a room into a small canteen where the workers can get hot drinks, biscuits, etc. If the British Restaurant does not materialize the Manager is going to do his best to make arrangements for the workers to get some sort of hot meal. Many of his employees are working overtime and do not get home in the evening until 8.45 p.m. Travelling is exceptionally difficult in this district. A half a pint of milk is provided for all workers on the grinding machines.

9. Number employed: 40-60.

This building was of the old type and the workers explained that the only place set aside for eating was a cellar which is now the air-raid shelter. The workers preferred to eat in the workshop, and the Manager said that the rats ate the waste food left by the workers in the cellar. There were no short breaks during the day and the workers were not allowed to eat while working. Relationship between the management and employees seemed very bad and there appeared to be no co-operation.

10. Number employed: 120. 10 under 20 years of age.

There was a special room for the workers’ meals several yards from the factory. It was large, airy and bright with tables and chairs, a carpet, pictures on the walls, a radio, dart board and billiard table. Women were employed to serve tea for the morning and afternoon breaks and at dinner time. There was a milk scheme in operation and rolls and cheese were served with the mid-morning tea. It appeared a well organised factory and the workers interviewed were intelligent and healthy looking.

Collieries

North East

1. At the moment pies are obtainable in the colliery and work is forging ahead on the new canteen which will provide hot meals for the miners. There is a father to son tradition and the result is excellent co-operation between owners and workers.

Snacks are obtainable at this Pit and have been for the past two weeks. One thing that is causing a certain amount of discontent is the fact that the chocolate is kept for the underground workers.