In the meeting between women from office- and library work and the computer technology and organizational changes, different actions were found. The purpose of the thesis is to analyse this meeting to consider the situation of the employed when computer technology and new organization are implemented, to discuss the importance of prior social and working life with regard to the understanding of the meeting and to address the working conditions in the 1980s with special attention to women. The starting point for the analysis of the meeting is an empirical study. The study uses qualitative data from interviews with 30 women. 24 women expresses criticism, 6 expresses consent, with the renewals. The analysis has three levels. At the first level the contents of the interviews are described. At the second level, from a theory of action, criticism and consent are considered for both foundations and forms of action. At the third level these forms of action are discussed in relation to a list of historical conditions for the social and working life of women generally. The thesis shows, firstly, that in the criticism and the consent there are three forms of action. These are the department-based form of action, the solidarity form and the individual form. Secondly, that in light of the socio-historical structures it becomes possible to see the three forms of action as three types of interest for development of work and organization. Thus behind both criticism and consent there is an interest in development and change. In the context of the socio-historical perspectives this interest is emphasized. The thesis shows, thirdly, that both the hopes and the disappointments of womens prior working life are reproduced in the 1980s. Lastly, that the forms of action and the types of interest reflect the limited possibilities for women in the female-occupations to change their position in the working life. / digitalisering@umu

(in English): This work deals with women teachers' unions in the period of 1918 - 1939. It monitors the development of women's education in connection with their employment assertion and with their participation in the union life. The first professional associations which were founded by women were teaching guilds. The paper presents an overview of women's associations and follows basic areas of their activities. It focused especially on putting women's equality given by the Constitution into the reality, improving social and economic status of female teachers and their participation in the reform movement. The Federation of teachers of vocational schools for women's occupations is introduced in detail to give the specific idea about the activities of women's teacher unions. These schools, so called family schools are also more closely characterised in their work. Follows a basic overview of the effects of the Union during this period and a description of its organization. The following chapters show in detail the activities of this association in areas which were the subject of the greatest interest. The union is shown as a feminist organization, fighting for the interests of teachers and women in general and women defending the interests of secondary education. The conclusion focuses on the...