How Did Women Needleworkers Influence
New Deal Labor Policies in Puerto Rico?

Document List

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Abstract

Introduction

             

The Context of the Puerto Rican Garment Industry:
Background to the Strike

Document 1A: “The Needlework Industry of Puerto Rico: Needlework, A $10,000,000 Industry,” Boletín Oficial de la Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico, 1934

Document 1B: "Tiny Town Togs," Boletín Oficial de la Cámara de Comercio de Puerto Rico, 1934

Document 2: Caroline Manning, The Employment of Women in Puerto Rico, 1934

Document 3: National Recovery Administration, Evidence Study No. 27 of Needlework Industry in Puerto Rico, October 1935.

             

The NRA Codes and the Outbreak of the Strike

Document 4: “La intervención del gobierno federal tiende a proteger al patrono y al obrero’, dijo el Gobernador en la reunión de industriales y trabajadores celebrada ayer" ("The Intervention of the Federal Government is Aimed to Protect the Employer and the Worker"), La Correspondencia de Puerto Rico, 29 July 1933

Document 5: “Declaraciones del presidente de la Asociación de Talleristas de Mayagüez sobre las posibilidades de un huelga" ("Statements from the President of the Association of Workshop Owners of Mayagüez Regarding the Possibilities of a Strike"), El Mundo, 24 August 1933

Document 6: “Siguen las negociaciones para el código de la industria de la aguja.--Las obreras definen su actitud en una resolución" ("Negotiations Continue for the Code of the Needlework Industry -- Female Workers Define Their Attitude in a Resolution"), El Mundo, 26 August 1933

Document 7: “El Comité de Ponencia de obreros y patronos de la industria de la aguja ha recomendado un convenio provisional" ("The Employers' and Workers' Committee of the Needlework Industry Recommends a Provisional Code"), El Mundo, 28 August 1933

Document 8: “Resolución de la Junta de Directores de la Asociación de Industriales" ("Resolution of the Directors of the Industrial Association"), La Democracia, 30 August 1933

             

Accounts of the Strike

Document 9: "Two Thousand Workers in Riots Yesterday in Mayagüez," La Democracia, 30 August 1933

Document 10: "The Mayagüez Strike Degenerates into Bloody Riots," La Correspondencia de Puerto Rico, 30 August 1933

Document 11: “Se esperan graves sucesos en Mayagüez cuando traten de abrir los talleres hoy" ("Great Incidents are Expected Today in Mayagüez When the Employers Try to Reopen the Factories"), La Democracia, 31 August 1933

Document 12: “Huelga en Mayagüez: Masacre a indefensas mujeres" ("Strike in Mayagüez: Massacre of Defenseless Women"), Unión Obrera, 31 August 1933

Document 13: “El Dep. de Trabajo próximo a dejar arregladas todas las diferencias entre talleristas y trabajadoras de Mayagüez" ("Department of Labor Close to Resolving All the Differences Between Employers and Workers of Mayagüez"), La Correspondencia de Puerto Rico, 2 September 1933

Document 14: "Workers on Strike Accept 25% Raise in Current Wages," La Democracia, 2 September 1933

Document 15: "The Resolution of the Strike is Alleged to be Fictitious," La Democracia, 8 September 1933

Document 16: “Se ha extendido la huelga de obreras de talleres en San Juan" ("San Juan Workers' Strike Extended"), La Democracia, 8 September 1933

             

Broader Reflections on the Needlework Industry

Document 17: Rose Pesotta, Bread Upon the Waters, 1944

Document 18: “Ponencia de María Luisa Arcelay sobre la Industria de la Aguja -- ¿Qué Queda?" ("Speech by María Luisa Arcelay on the Needlework Industry -- What is Left?"), 6 March 1979

             

Images of the Rodriguez Needlework Factory, Santurce, Puerto Rico

Image 1: A woman working at the Rodriguez needlework factory

Image 2: Women working at the Rodriguez needlework factory.

Image 3: Women working at the Rodriguez needlework factory.

Image 4: Women working at the Rodriguez needlework factory.

Image 5: Umbrellas carried to work by women workers

Image 6: Workers waiting in line to make payments on personal loans made by the company

             

Endnotes

Bibliography

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