Poverty : a study of town life / by B. Seebohm Rowntree.

  • Seebohm Rowntree
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Poverty : a study of town life / by B. Seebohm Rowntree. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    385/472 (page 349)
    upon the main problem dealt with in this volume, viz. the problem of poverty. It was found by the writer to be a difficult task to gather accurate information regarding the numeri- cal strength and the conditions of membership of the various Trade Unions. Some were exceedingly averse to imparting information. In the case of one or two others, the affairs of which were chiefly managed by the general secretary in London, the local secretary appeared to have but little knowledge regarding the points inquired about. But in spite of difficulties it is believed that the following information is accurate and practically complete. The number of Trade Unionists in York in March 1899 was as follows :— Skilled workers . . . 2093 Unskilled workers . . . 446 Total . 2539 1 There are no women members of Trade Unions in York, although in some of them (e.g. the Tailors' and the Gas Workers’ and General Labourers’ Union) women are eligible for membership. The proportion of Trade Unionists in York to the total population is somewhat below that which obtains for the United Kingdom generally, as is seen from the following figures :— 1 Further detailed particulars regarding the Trade Unions in York will be found in Appendix H.