Hello avalon99
The mining industry led the way by adopting a five-day working week in
the late 1940s, and gradually more and more employers agreed to this
pattern. In the course of the 1950s the five-day week became
established in Britain and a two-day weekend break started to seem
normal.
"Real wages remained static in 1946-50, but took off once the boom got
underway, and doubled from 1951 to 1964. The 5-day week became normal.
52% of manual workers had paid holiday of three to four weeks."
From the Second World War to the end of the post-war boom
http://www.revolutionarycommunistgroup.com/frfi/163/163_la.htm
==============================
"the five-day week (as opposed to five weekdays plus a half-day on
Saturday morning) had arrived in the US before it arrived in Britain
around 1960."
http://www.evolutionary-economics.org/KSH-Postings-Econ/045.html
===============================
"Fordism, a stage in the development of 20th century capitalism [...]
Fordism's heyday was between 1945 and 1973. Characteristics:
1) 8-hour day, 5-day week."
http://carlisle.unn.ac.uk/CHP/Environmental_Studies/TM314/Materials/Fordism.htm
===============================
1949:
"miners who have now attained their five-day week. "
http://www.lindahome.freeuk.com/Quoits1/introduction.html
===============================
The Lancashire Cotton Mills:
"A five-day week was worked. The hated Saturday morning had been
dropped soon after the end of the war"
http://www.cottontimes.co.uk/wheelgateo.htm
===============================
Paisley textile workers
"1946 the 5-day week was introduced, with a 45 hour week for day shift
and 37.5 hours for double shift.. 1961 brought a 42.5 hour week, 1965
- 42 hours, 1966 - 41.5 hours and findally the 40 hour week began in
June 1966"
http://www.sparkofgenius.co.uk/Paisley%20Thread/History.htm
===============================
Bolton 1951
" with the introduction of the five-day week one manager said most
people think Friday, with the prospect of a free Saturday morning, is
worth waiting for. "
http://www.thisisbolton.co.uk/lancashire/bolton/bygone/BYGONEOCT11.html
===============================
London Transport 1955
"the eleven day fortnight which lasted quite a few years until it
finally became the five day week"
http://www.barbara-sharp.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Bus9.html
===============================
You should find more information on the five-day week by combing
through these search results:
"five OR 5 day week" fifties OR 1950s OR post-war
://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22five+OR+5+day+week%22+fifties+OR+1950s+OR+post-war&hl=en&lr=&cr=countryUK|countryGB&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=0&sa=N
"five OR 5 day working week" fifties OR 1950s OR post-war
://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%22five+OR+5+day+working+week%22+fifties+OR+1950s+OR+post-war&hl=en&lr=&cr=countryUK|countryGB&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N
Please let me know if I can clarify anything.
Best Wishes - Leli |
