Why were the Lowell mill work conditions so bad?
- Mill workers, mostly young women, worked long hours for low pay. They typically earned between $2 and $3 per week, which was barely enough to cover basic living expenses.
Long hours:
- Mill workers were expected to work 6 days a week, from sunrise to sunset.
- This meant working up to 14 hours a day during the summer months
Unsafe working conditions:
- Factories were often crowded and unsanitary, with poor ventilation and lighting.
- Workers were exposed to dangerous machinery and materials, and accidents were common.
Strict discipline:
- Mill workers were subject to a strict set of rules and regulations.
- They were not allowed to talk or sing while working, and they could be fined for any infraction of the rules.
Lack of opportunities for advancement:
- Mill workers had little chance of improving their lives.
- There were few opportunities for promotion, and most workers remained trapped in low-paying jobs for their entire lives.
These poor working conditions led to high rates of turnover and absenteeism in the Lowell mills. Workers often left the mills to find better jobs or to get married and start families. As a result, the mills were constantly in need of new workers, and they often resorted to hiring young women from rural areas who were desperate for work.