Technical staff in the industry of the Second Republic (on the example of the Kielce Voivodeship)

Abstract

In the years 1925‒1938, the number of industrial plants in the Kielce Voivodeship fluctuated between 1604 and 2710. Only a few percent of this number were plants of the I‒III category, which were of key importance for the economy, about 1/4 of the plants of the IV‒V category and about 3/4 of the plants of the VI‒VII category. They were concentrated in the Dąbrowa Basin and the Częstochowa and Old Polish districts. An attribute of the modern company was specialized technical personnel – engineers, technicians and foremen. In small individual establishments, such staff did not exist or the only representative was the owner or director. Medium and large plants could not exist without such personnel. In the latter, especially in joint-stock mining companies, the requirements for professional qualifications were regulated by law.

Recruitment for directors of joint-stock companies was carried out through a competition. It was joined by candidates from Poland and abroad. The choice of a foreigner as a director sometimes affected relations with subordinates. The workers appealed to the board to change the director, and when they did not achieve their goal, they meted out the punishment themselves. They intimidated their superiors or used physical violence.

The salaries of the technical staff varied. Directors of joint-stock companies earned the most. A portion of their income was not disclosed to reduce tax burdens. They differed significantly from the salaries of mid- and lower-level technical staff.