Mass meeting of Denaby Main Colliers – Pit Set Down by the Fillers

July 1886

Mexborough and Swinton Times July 30, 1886

Mass meeting of Denaby Main Colliers
The Pit Set Down by the Fillers

yesterday evening a mass meeting of about 500 colliers was out near the Toll bar, Doncaster Road Mexborough, to take into consideration the question of fillers wages.

The fillers of called demure to the present rate of wages, and left work in the morning, consequence being that the pit was set down during the afternoon.

The spokesman for the fillers explain the circumstances of the case, saying that the fillers could not live at the present prices. The fillers that see Mr Chambers, the manager and he stated that the company could not give any more than they were paid at present, who referred them to the colliers, who he said were the fillers Masters. (Laughter)

The fillers told the manager that they had been to the colliers, but that they distinctly stated that they could not give them any more, as they had not enough themselves.. The fillers then said that they should like the manager to take away the connection pans and give them 5 ½ d all round. Nobody looked after the fillers, and it was time that they looked after themselves. The colliers had looked after themselves, and the fillers were going to stand up like men, even though they had none on their side.

Mr Chambers asked the fillers if they knew they had made themselves liable to be sent to prison, and he (the speaker) reply, that they had been expecting it sometime – (laughter) – and when Mr Chambers asked “What for?” He replied “For being in debt,” and that the bums were expected. (Renewed laughter)

The speaker also said he should go only once, and it did not matter what it was for. (A Voice: “You will get something to eat there, at any rate,” and laughter.

The pans were big enough to live without filling them. (Laughter.) Were the colliers going to give the fillers more money or not? (Cries of “no, no.”) The fillers did not want anything if they could not afford it; they knew that the colliers had not enough themselves. A man it said the day previous that there was not a pit in the district where the colliers got more than 8p per day more than the fillers. If he were present he would like that explained. (Cries of “Let him get up.”)

The person ear referred to rows in the meeting, but was met with a Voice: “he said that the college get three and sixpence.” The man said there had been a great mistake in the matter. What he said was that there was not a pity Yorkshire but where the fillers got within sixpence or 8p of the colliers. Mr Chambers said that the colliers were their employers, and that they must get a deputation of fillers to wait upon the, but that they must not set the pit down or they will be liable.

A Voice: “What pit have you worked out where the fillers get within 6d or 8d a day?” and disorder.”

A miner here cried out that the place of meeting was not the right one, but that the meeting ought to have been held in the clubroom. (A Voice: “It doesn’t matter where we are so long as we are together.”) Another voice: “The colliers want something as well the fillers.”

The Chairman then put the question whether the colliers were agreed to pay the fillers any more but was met with a chorus of Noes.

A deputation of six fillers will then pick fromed the meeting, and proceeded to the colliery premises, when an interviewer is granted by Mr Chambers. The men led their complaint before him, but the manager stated that he had nothing at all to do with the arrangement of prices between the colliers and the fillers. When they resumed after the strike the colliers made their arrangements with the fillers, and the prices they paid then did not affect the prices paid by the company for the getting of the call. What the fillers practically wanted from the colliers was 6 ½ d for large and 4d for small call, whereas their prices were 5 ½d and 2 ½d.

The manager was also requested to check out the rake sand pans which were introduced at the recent strike from Burslem by the Staffordshire hands, saying that without the rake and pans they could work for 5 ½d as before. The manager remarked that the terms of fillers amounted to this, that they wish to go back to the conditions which existed before the strike. The manager promised to lay the objections of the fillers to the rakes and pans before the directors, and the depredation then withdrew to report to the meeting.

Upon their return, the Chairman requested a collier, who had formed one of the deputation of colliers which waited upon Mr Chambers with respect to the questions to address the meeting, which he did in brief terms, stating that Mr Chambers told the colliers deputation that is there was no work resumed tomorrow (Friday) by the fillers it will be worse for them. The only course open to the fillers was to give proper notices, and while those notices were being worked out he would do his best for them with the proprietors.

One of the fillers on the depredation which awaited upon Mr Chambers here got up, and said that in answer to their complaint, Mr Chambers said he had nothing to do with it.” He said it ought to be arranged between the colliers and fillers themselves. He also said that the fillers that take the wrong course in letting the pit “lake.” The deputation wanted him to make the price 5 ½d without the pans and rakes and the answer that they wanted to force it on whether or no, but it was at the Masters option whether they did it or not. He told them that they had better give their proper notices on Wednesday evening and Thursday evening next week. During the 14 days notice Mr Chambers said he would do what he could for them.

The speaker then asked for “hands up” in favour of the rakes or pans, and there was a unanimous show against. The feeling of the meeting was also taken in favour of sending in their notices, for which also there was no opposition.

The Chairman said that the fillers were to go to work in the morning they would hear further about it. Someone in the crowd here wanted to know what they were given their notices in four, when explained that the reasons need not be stated on the notice papers.

The meeting then broke up with the understanding that work should be resumed on the morrow, but that notice should be given in next week; in the meantime a deputation from the fillers to meet the colliers and try to make terms.

There are 1200 hands employed at the colliery, 300 of whom are fillers.