Gabriel 150 years - Flipbook - Page 20
Kjærs Mølle expanded again in ±π∫µ, this
time with the construction of a two-storey
building with an arched roof, covering one
huge attic. Originally, the building housed a
spinning mill; today there are finished goods
on the ground floor of this building, while
samples are displayed on the first floor.
More and more smoke poured from the chimneys as coal was burned to satisfy the demands
of the steam engines. No one gave a thought to
air pollution and bad lungs: Such activity signified progress in the last three decades of the
±π∞∞s.
Workers and working conditions
In ±π∂≤, the year after the factory was founded,
Kjærs Mølle already had ∂∞ employees. In the
years prior to ±π∏≤, the number of workers varied from ≥∞ to ∏≤ and increased as time passed.
The good years toward the end of the ±π∞∞s
saw a considerable expansion of the workforce,
and in ±∫∞±, there were ±∑∂ employees.
The master weaver and weavers in the new weaving
room in ±∫∞±. The master weaver’s position in the
We cannot know what thoughts the founders
hierarchy is suggested by both his clothing and posture.
had about the availability of qualified labour in
Aalborg. But we can see that this was occasion-
there were often disorderliness and rows, yes,
ally a problem. As there was no tradition for
even fights during working hours.”
textile factories in the Aalborg area, it follows
Little by little, Danish workers were trained,
that there were no experienced workers. Right
but Kjærs Mølle continued to hire foreigners
from the beginning, therefore, it was necessary
when workers with special skills were needed.
to hire foreign workers, in particular, from Germany.
As far as wages were concerned, the weavers
Unfortunately, it was not always the cream of
were, on average, the best-paid employees, but
the German workforce that was lured to the far
as they were paid piece-rates, the level of wages
north, as suggested by the following passage
varied greatly. Spinners, wool washers, rinsers
from the anniversary book published in ±∫∞±:
and fullers earned a little less, and the willowers
“The people were perhaps clever enough, as
and carders earned less than half the wage of the
far as that goes, but they sometimes displayed
weavers. Until ±π∏∞, meals were provided at the
other faults, as for example, the fault of often
factory for unmarried workers and apprentices.
coming to work in a rather muddled state. As, at
No information is available about the
the same time, there seemed to be pugnacious
wages earned by men and women who held the
types among the workers, it is no wonder that
same positions.
1855-1898
21
