Part 1 - Life Under a Hardhat: A Question of Skill

In this first part of New Yorkers at Work, various men and women discuss their experiences working in skilled trades that over time became increasingly mechanized, unskilled labor, concentrating in particular on the plight of painters. They also describe changes in the organization of labor, the "beerzha" labor markets of the thirties, and the anxieties felt from not being certain of future employment.
The oral histories that comprise this recording are interspersed with performances of the folk song "Song of My Hands" by various performers and the narration of Martha Greenhouse and Frederick O'Neal, who provide historical context.

The program begins with an introduction describing the program. It tells us that the people featured were part of history, though they are not included in history books. It notes the fact that they were immigrants and that they banded together to fight for dignity and pride.

Part one is "Life Under a Hardhat: A Question of Skill."
It begins with an allusion to the Watergate break in done by "plumbers." It is a clip of [Geroge] Meany.

A woman speaks about working in traditionally "female" clerical roles. She talks about being forced to look good for the office.
A man talks about creating paintings in a factory. He tells us that they are removing skill from jobs.

There is a woman singing "Song of My Hands"

Frederick O'Neal talks about the foundation of the American federation of Labor by Samuel Gompers in 1881. Martha Greenhouse talks about the removal of skill from skilled labor in the construction trade.

"Song of My Hands" continues.

Victor Clement talks about a "long vacation" in which he got a job as an interior decorator, working for the Vanderbilts. Clement began in 1899.

Bernhardt talks about the loosening of the tradition of passage of trades from parent to child. Ed Cleary Jr. is secretary of the New York City Building council. He talks about his work.

Cynthia Long was an electrical apprentice in 1978. She speaks about entering into the trade. she struggled to get into the field, eventually entering into construction.

Greenhouse introduces Thomas [Muscazy] president of district council 9 of the painters union. He talks about his entrance into the field.

Ed Cleary talks further about his finding work. O'Neal describes Cleary's career as a journeyman,

Greenhouse compares the limits on how many they will train to that of the AMA. Unions will only hire in as many men and women who will be able to find work. She describes an earlier system, the beerzha, yiddish for "slave market." Ann Falardo describes her father's experiences It was a social as much as a business engagement.

Izzy Axelrod talks about the beerzha and his time as a painter. Al Falardo talks about construction jobs created through the city. Ann Falardo discusses the anxiety of not knowing when you would find work.

There is a folk song cut in: "working hard building.."

Al Falardo taught at school while others struggled. Greenhouse and the other speaker talk about technology removing skilled labor. various speakers talk about the change in the paint trade. Herb Elikn talks about the radical change in the 1950s - quantity over quality became the way.

Greenhouse talks about the painters' battle against new technologies among painters. Elkin goes in depth about his experience.

Speakers talk about the fluctuations in the labor market.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 92582