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.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 92582