I wonder if those women were paid the same as the men.

I don't think there were any women working at the GM or Ford plants which is understandable given the deplorable working conditions. The present GM strike has us wondering about the future of that company. Unfortunately when working conditions are so bad that labor unionizes the effects linger.

The railroads paid a heavy price as well for labor abuse that existed early on.[Tim Cole; posted on: 10/20]

Also Tim, in response to your remark on women working in these places, my Mom had a job at a munitions factory up here in Canada when she was a very young girl. She said it was both dangerous and, as you said had deplorable working conditions. She recounted coworkers getting digits and even hands blown off by accidents but she said the pay was three times what she could make as a serger, cook, or any of the other 'jobs of the day' so women were willing to take the risk. Lucky for her, she emerged with all here fingers, but as a result of excessive noise, had severe hearing loss at a very young age. [Chris (Packard newbie); posted on: 10/21]