Carrie Wells Oral History

Carrie Wells Oral History

In this interview Carrie Wells, a tile setter from Detroit recalls how she entered the tile setting trade after attending college and working in a radio station. Wells explains the apprenticeship program’s mandate to accept women and minorities and the high turnover of these minorities upon completion of their training. Wells cites the multiple generations and the persistence of racism, sexism, and nepotism in the trade as factors in the high turnover. Wells sustained a herniated disc on the job and at the time of the interview was out on disability. She discusses the physical toll the tile setting profession can put on the body, the high rate of injury to tile setters, and job safety issues. Wells discusses her union, its membership policy, and her feelings of dissatisfaction about the union’s policies and politics. At the time of the interview Wells was out on disability and was using the time to complete her degree at Wayne State University, she was unsure if she would return to work after her injury has heeled.

Raucher, Margaret; Advisory Group Members

Wells, Carrie, 1972-

2004-03-24

Ann Arbor, MI; Detroit, MI; 1973-2005