Domestic slaves revolt
An insight into the lot of the domestic servant was given in the Observer of 100 years ago.
A letter printed in a March edition of the 1919 paper refers to a meeting of ‘mistresses’ that had taken place the previous week at the Employment Exchange.
There is no indication of what the meeting was about but it is known that many women who worked in domestic service before World War One where often reluctant to return to their old jobs having been better paid while engaged in work associated with the war effort, such as munitions manufacture.
The letter writer, who is not named , was awaiting to hear the outcome of those talks .
Many elements of the servants’ role appear to have been considered – apart from hours of work writes the exdomestic servant.
‘We want an eight-hour day like every other trade,” she adds.
“And if mistresses wish to have late parties and need servants until 11pm and midnight, let them get in a night shift and pay them time-and-a-half and not a starvation wage of £24 a year. Farm servants are now to get finished after a nine-hour day – why not us?’
The writer said she had a long experience of domestic service – and had the highest references – but was determined not to return to the job.
‘I have been at munitions for over two years and had the evenings to myself, a shorter day and more money.
‘(In fact) I managed to save close to £200 but many a time I had to steal food when I was in service.
“It was always ‘hurry up and get your cap and muslin apron on in case anyone should call.’
‘Many is the time I had to clear the range with these ‘things’ on, and people would think my work was done.’
And she adds: ‘Away with all these badges of slavery; I will never fake myself up in them any more. I and others have taken temporary places where we finish at 5pm and have Sundays to ourselves and are earning 25 shillings a week.’