Just found out that some 19th century blacksmiths in Pittsburgh were paid partly in company scrip redeemable only at the company store. Read it in an old union history pamphlet at the library.

2 comments

2 Comments

The Homestead strike records show some of those company stores actually had fair prices compared to town. The scrip system was more about keeping cash in the company for payroll.

jesse_thomas2710h ago

Interesting point from @mason_murray. In my experience, the real problem was the lack of choice, even if prices were okay. Being stuck with one store never works out well for people.