The cost of living was rising. The average telephone worker's income was half that of a government clerk and about 65% of the average female industrial worker.
The 'thing' was this. The New England Telephone Company had just raised it rates for what seemed no other reason, except, profit driven ambition.
Imagine that.
Julia O'Donnell, President of the Boston Telephone Operators' Union proposed a new wage scale. Well, guess what? It was rejected.
Go figure.
Go figure.
6000 Boston operators walked off the job, followed by 3000 operators throughout New England. They shut it down. The entire New England Telephone system was out. Their strike was accompanied by every male plant worker as well. Support was offered by the Cook and Waiters Union when they refused to serve any 'student' strikebreaker that was injured due to angry strikers.
Julia O'Donnell went on to become a national leader that was instrumental in bringing about fair wages for all telephone workers throughout the country.
Oh, the men that accompanied the women operators?
They received a thirty cent per day increase. Remember now, this was 1919.
Now that is the way to run a union !
