Italian ingenuity

[joetucciarone]

In the 1880s, American workers often resorted to violent strikes in the face of wage cuts. They were frequently replaced by Italian immigrants, who were aware of the damage caused by walk-outs. The article, "The Smartest Dirt-Slingers," from the September 8, 1884 edition of the Rockford (Illinois) Gazette, shows how one ingenious group of Italian immigrants dealt with a pay cut:

"The wages of a gang of Italian laborers near Saratoga were recently cut down 10 cents a day. Instead of striking, they cut an inch off their shovel blades at night. The boss asked what it meant, and one of the men replied: 'Not so much pay, not so much dirt lift; all right, job last the more long; Italian no fool; he no strike.' "

[PippoM]

Very interesting...
And I've discovered a new false-friend, that I didn't know...

[smithsera88]

My absolute favorite slice of Italian ingenuity, however, is a “lagoon pool.