Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ames!nrl-cmf!ukma!gatech!mcnc!ecsvax!sdsu!ucselx!coffey@ucsd.edu
From: sdsu!ucselx!coffey@ucsd.edu (pat coffey)
Newsgroups: comp.society.women
Subject: re:VDTs again
Message-ID: <5341@ecsvax.uncecs.edu>
Date: 15 Sep 88 00:16:27 GMT
Sender: skyler@ecsvax.uncecs.edu
Lines: 29
Approved: skyler@ecsvax.uncecs.edu (Moderator -- Trish Roberts)
Comments-to: comp-women-request@cs.purdue.edu
Submissions-to: comp-women@cs.purdue.edu

Trish Roberts says
>   ...    some unions are requesting that it be written
>into the contracts that pregnant women may request a transfer or
>sick leave or various other things rather than work with VDTs.
    ...
>VDTs.  I wonder if such contracts make women much less attractive
>employment prospects--at least women in the child-bearing ages.

I started working in the DP field in 1961 and found that the laws
implemented to 'protect' women only prevented me from competing in
this male dominated field.  For example, in California, it was illegal
for a woman to work more than 8 hours a day or more than 48 hours a
week.  In the case where overtime was authorized, it meant that my male
co-workers could bring home more money.  (remember the salaries in the
early 60's -- $400 per month was very good) .  If no paid overtime was
authorized, and I needed to put in a few extra hours, I had to hide from
the night watchman.  Again, the men could stay as late as they wanted to
get their work done.

I know that it is illegal to discriminate in employment because of sex these
days (it wasn't in the 60's), but I have an aversion to special rules and
provisions for women.  If VDT's are unsafe for women, then they are unsafe
for men too!  I've been using a VDT since we gave up our punced cards many
years ago, and the only ill affect I have found has been sore shoulders.
When I got a new, expensive computer chair and lowered my crt screen,
the problem went away.

     _   _        Pat Coffey    
    |_) (_        San Diego State University
    |