Women Munition Workers

Levin Daily Chronicle, 1 March 1917, Page 3

Women Munition Workers

OBJECTION TO WEARING OF

TROUSERS,

Four young women appeared before a local munitions tribunal in the County Buildings, Glasgow, on Tuesday, in support of a claim for compensation. It "was stated that some time ago the firm "exhibited a notice to the effect that all female employees must wear trousers and tunic. after December 11. Applicants refused, and they now asked compensation in lieu of notice terminating their employment. A representative of the 'firm explained that a certain number of the girls adopted the new dress, and that as they were ridiculed .by some of the others it was decided to anake it compulsory on all. Sheriff Fyfe asked applicants what was their objection to wearing trousers. Their reply was that there was no machinery in the place where they worked, and that consequently it was unnecessary for them to adopt that style of dress. The Sheriff—You prefer to stick to the skirt, I suppose. It was held that the applicants had received sufficient notice, and compensation was therefore refused. A girl in the employment of another firm applied for a clearance certificate. The employer opposed the claim, holding that she had .left without notice. It was pointed out that on the walls of the works there wa6 exhibited a printed notice—"No warning given and none expected." This, a representative of the firm explained, was an old notice, and did not apply now. The sheriff expressed the view that the notice should be taken down; otherwise the workers were entitled to assume that it remained in force. The certificate was granted.