What is a cloak operator?

never wanted know cloak operators!
googled , here's found:
"the montreal agreement of february 1935 created 3 different classifications skilled workers, including section workers among them. skilled operators defined both "section operators 1 or more of following operations, such sewing on collars, making sleeves, sewing facings, joining seams of body, joining seams of lining, making collars, making pockets, attaching linings" , non-section operators "do 1 or more of following operations in workmanlike manner — join cloth body, sew in sleeves, facings , collars." in addition "able in workmanlike manner sewing machine operations necessary complete garments" (cohen papers, vol. 3, file 2181d). while these definitions intended "place section operator in position similar earning rates , capacities of skilled operator," would, toronto ilgwu lawyer cohen pointed out toronto joint board of cloakmakers, "involve serious organizational problems relating particularly `right job'" (cohen papers, vol. 3, file 2181a). result, toronto ilgwu draft proposal industrial standard act's definition of section workers convoluted in extreme: "those able operate sewing machine not able make complete garments; engaged in operations aforesaid under known in industry section system shall not included in category shall considered skilled operators" (cohen papers, vol. 3, file 2181c).

further substantiate workers' claim skilled status, union proposed giving equal pay section , non-section workers. in letter bernard shane on june 7, 1935, cohen noted, "some means have established of applying general wage formula in flexible manner" (ilgwu papers). kind of problem resolved in quebec, joint committee of unions , manufacturers created under provincial decrees allowed wage assessments made. question more complex in ontario, industrial
standards act have no such clause. underlying issue increased number of cheaper women workers, question of skill differences between men , women had addressed. years of established practices had defined jobs in trade gender. israel shanoff said in interview (toronto 1973): 'the cloak operators men. there women on ladies' coats too, majority men. @ time had mechanic be, [an] operator. women made linings. operator, operate, man's job.... came old country, tailors, ladies tailors, , became cloak operators , designers in trade.' "

i dead serious. mom came across name when doing genealogy , stumped is.

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