Denaby Strike ‘Off’

Three to One for Return to Work.

Steps have been taken this week to obtain a settlement of the unofficial strike at Denaby Main Colliery, where 2,000 men have been idle since July 7^th. On Tuesday the men declared for a return to work, and on Wednesday morning the committee of the Denaby Main branch of the Y.M.A. Attended at the colliery offices to make arrangements for work to be resumed on Sunday evening and Monday.

They were received by Mr. W. Dean in the absence of Mr. Norman Hulley (manager), who is on holiday, and Mr, Dean promised to refer the matter to Mr. B. H. Pickering (the agent).

Mass meetings of the men were held at the Reresby Arms, Denaby, and the New Mason’s Arms, Mexborough, on Saturday morning.

The latest situation was discussed, and the men were informed that a meeting was to be held later at Doncaster of the leaders and officials of the Y.M.A. Branches at the group of pits of which Denaby is a constituent member. The men agreed at both meetings to adjourn their deliberations until the following morning when a report could be presented.

Both the meetings at the Reresby Arms and the New Mason’s Arms were very well attended.

On Sunday morning an open air meeting was held near Denaby Colliery, when the men re-affirmed their decision not to return to work until the management opened negotiations. They also decided to hold another meeting on Tuesday when the Denaby Miners’ Welfare Institute was packed. Nearly 800 men were present, and it was agreed that a paper ballot should be taken. This revealed and overwhelming majority of nearly 3 to 1, in favour of returning to work, and it was then suggested that work should be resumed on Sunday night and on Monday.

An officials of the branch told a ‘Times representative after the meeting that the men were returning to work conditionally upon the management entering into negotiations with their representatives upon a number of grievances the men have, and also that there would be no victimisation. The officials also stated that the following resolution was passed by the meeting: ‘That this meeting repudiates the statements appearing in the Press that the only reason for the Denaby dispute was a question of unemployment pay, but state that the reason was a combination of various grievances.’