Worked After Fatality – Value of Cadeby Miners Gesture

August 1941

Mexborough& Swinton Times, August 2

Worked After Fatality
Value of Cadeby Miners Gesture

In view of the circumstances which have recently drawn attention to the practice of miners at certain South Yorkshire Collieries staying away from work on the shift following a fatal accident, special interest attaches to the sequel of a fatal accident last week at Cadeby Colliery.

A man was killed on the afternoon shift on July 21st, and the men honoured an agreement which they have with the management by turning up in good numbers for work on the night shift the same day.  The agreement is to the effect that if more than 75 per cent of men turn up for work on the shift following a fatal accident, the dependants of the dead man receive the proceeds of a stoppage of 6d. per man and 3d. per boy employed at both Denaby and Cadeby Collieries.  To this amount the Company add a useful sum.

As a result of the men’s decision to work on the night shift the dependants of the dead man will benefit to the extent of between £90 and £100.  The fact that the pit did not play also meant that £540 in wages went into the village; spending power which would not have been available if the men had played.  It also meant approximately 1,000 tons of precious coal for the country at a time when every ton is needed.

Both management and miners representatives are gratified at the spirit in which the agreement was honoured in this instance, and the practical results of the miners action in this case are eloquent proof of the value of adherence to a considered agreement in matters of this kind.  As was stated by an official of the Colliery: “Respect to the dead man is in no way lessened or made less dignified by practical and material assistance to his dependants.