Sheffield independent 23 August 1886

Final Meeting of the Fillers
Arbitration Desired

The shortest strike that has ever occurred at the Denaby Main mine – and they have been by no means few and far between – has been brought to an end, and work will be resumed this (Monday) morning.

It was known well enough from the first that the fillers had taken an unwise step, and that only a few days were likely to elapse ere they returned to the pit. The colliers, as well as the colliery officials, were opposed to them, and as only some half-dozen were connected with the Yorkshire Miners Association, they could not expect any financial aid during a strike. It is generally acknowledged to have been a most rash proceeding on the part of the fillers, and no one now sees that more clearly than they themselves. Amongst their number are many unmarried men, and these have been the ringleaders in the agitation.

For some time, in fact it may be saved from the time the last strike ended, dissatisfaction on the wage question has existed. Colliers as well as fillers have been constantly complaining that wages were lower at Denaby Main than anywhere else in the district. But the miners had had too much experience from past strikes and lockouts to recklessly bring out their tools, and they did their utmost to dissuade the fillers from their intention.

The workmen at Denaby Main are said to have the sympathy of the miners throughout South Yorks, because of the undoubted art ships they have undergone, and matters brought by the local delegates before the executive at Barnsley, concerning the condition of the colliers always receive the most serious attention. The rules of the Association are so distinct however, that a flagrant breach of them provoked the sternest rebuke, and it is a knowledge of this that has made the Denaby colliers so indignant of the action of their fellow workmen.

During the dispute just ended, the rival parties have been very conspicuous – it has in reality been a case of Unionists versus non-unionists. Those not connected with the County Association of talked about the strike with surprising indifference – indeed some have made quite merry over it, as though there conduct in quitting the mine had been most commendable. Contrast in the behaviour of the colliers were refused to spot the fillers in their dispute was most noteworthy. Those belonging to the Union Lodge reason most dispassionately with the strike hands and their arguments were unanswerable stop the good sound sense of these men has been a very encouraging feature during the temporary gloom and is deserving of passing notice. Although without an actual leader, they have at their meetings discuss the question in dispute with a calmness and clearness that would have done credit to man of much higher education, and it is in consequence of their firm opposition to the fillers action that the crisis is thus been brought to so speedy a termination. It will be well those outside the union at the upon the advice so well tended to them and thoroughly endorsed by the officials at Barnsley – and at once become members of the County Association. Strikes would soon become a thing of the past is the men could only be prevailed upon to organise themselves thoroughly; but yet, after so many years of “lecturing” on the matter by far the larger number of some pits are outside the union.

The appended report will show which where the feelings of the men tended on Saturday, and it to be desired that a long time will intervene before the men again cause the pit to stand. As already stated, over 1200 hands are employed at the mine, which is one of the leading collieries in Yorkshire. It is stated that Mr J Buckingham Pope, the managing director, is in France, where he has been for some months, owing to ill health.

At 10 o’clock on Saturday morning a meeting of the fillers was convened at the Lodge room, Doncaster Road, Mexborough, but the attendance was only meagre.

The Chairman said the first question for them to go into was whether they should go to work or stop out. You will see the way things were situated. The colliers were working, and doing the fillers work. They were both getting and filling the coal. He also understood that there were a lot of fillers who wanted to go back to work, and, at the same time, there was some who do not wish to return. Therefore it was for them that morning to come to a conclusion one way or the other as to what they were going to do. He should say, for one, let those go to work, who want, and let those who don’t intend to do so not try to stop those who did. (Here, here.)

It was the duty of those who did not want to stop at Denaby to go somewhere else. They knew very well it was no good for them to be doing as they were. They must either go back to work or seek it elsewhere. It was no good thinking they could “play” till that time next year – they would be having the same look at the shop windows, and no one will be helping them. It “went against his grain” to return to the pit without having some return, one way or another, coming out – but no one was to blame except those who were working.

Some fillers had gone away to get work, and, of course, they could please themselves about that. It was said that some of the fillers had gone back that morning; some port the number at 30 and others at 13. The Chairman said it was rumoured that not a few of the men who had not given in their notices had been “stopped,” as well as some who had tendered them. It was also reported that the officials intended to “stop” some of their money. (A Voice: “That’s a bit of coercion.”)

He did not know whether it was true or not. However, the fillers are better say what they were going to do. It was no use walking up and down the street. A conclusion, one way or another, must become to. It appeared to him that the fillers would be “creeping” back, and he considered it better for all wanted to go to do so in a body. (Here, here.) If they did not adopt such action the result would probably be that those who stayed away the longest would have to keep away altogether, as it would be said that they had been trying to keep others away. (Here, here) but there have a resolution on the matter and send a deputation it to Mr Chambers, the manager. Possibly manager would not be at the colliery, he being a member of the Doncaster Board of Guardians, and that was the time they met. (A Voice: “We can see his deputy, and that will be sufficient.”) They had better settle it at once, so that those who desired could start work on Monday morning. He should like to hear what the fillers at to say.

A filler said he should never again go to Denaby Main at the price they paid, if he could get work anywhere else. Still, he believed there were many who did want to return, and they should not be want to try and stop them. (Hear, hear.) If they thought they were paid fairly for what they were doing by all means let them go back. (A laugh.) Were they getting a fair day’s wage? (“No.”) Those who could live at it, let them go by all means. But speaking personally, he should not go back at the present price until he tried and failed to succeed at another place.

Several others said they had made up their minds not to go back.

Some of the fillers expressed the belief that they were not being paid proportionately to what the colliers were. One speaker said before the strike the colliers were getting £6 9s 2d for every 100 ton of coal and now on the average the rate was £5 6s 8d, which was a loss of £1 2s 6d for every hundred tons. Of course a 10% reduction had been experienced all over the district, and in this calculation he had made due allowance for that. What the fillers were getting was £2 0s 10d for every 100 tons – taking on the average 20 tons of slack and eight tons of coal – so that they suffered a loss of 9s 2d on every 100 tons. Consequently the fillers lost more proportionally than the colliers. The speaker thought there should be some little readjustment between the fillers and the colliers. He thought an amicable arrangement might then become to. He looked upon the dispute now as being between the fillers and the colliers, and not the fillers and the company.

Another speaker said the colliers were trying to do what they could to turn the mind of the public against the fillers, and so the latter had to antagonise colliers and employers. As to the colliers giving the fillers anything, they said they would not, and the masters said the same.

The question of arbitration was then raised and all the men appeared agreeable to this arrangement being comfortable. It was mentioned that during the last strike the colliers desired arbitration and suggested that Mr Berry, MP, should go to Denbigh for that purpose. But the colliery company did not appear agreeable to that plan. The men express themselves confident that arbitration would show they were being underpaid, and said they would willingly abide by the result.

A representative on behalf of the colliers was then called into the room, and he said arbitration would be agreeable to all the men. In fact, they have been most wishing for it some time ago. The only that the men employed at Denaby Main were underpaid compared with what was received by other miners in the district. (Here, here and a voice (“That’s true enough.”) As to the fillers receiving anything from the colliers, the former knew well enough that the colliers were paid almost as poorly as themselves. What they wanted was a little off the company – that was a place to go in, that was where it could be best afforded. Arbitration might certainly be tried.

A fella said the public would see that the men at Denaby Main were wishful to work amicably, and to end dispute, and if the company would try to meet them this would be done. (Hear, hear.)

It was moved and carried unanimously that the fillers pending arbitration on the wages question.

The Chairman said they wanted an understanding that all men who wish to work should do so, and that the manager should not turn some adrift, because of the action they had taken. (A filler: “I heard it said about 40 would not be allowed to work again.”)

The fillers were told that the manager would not be likely to refuse to act on anyone engaged, especially as the pit or short of fillers before the strike commence. Some would now be going away, and there would be fewer still in the pit.

A question will then raise us to the likelihood of certain money been stopped by the colliery official, and it was agreed that if this should be done, legal advice should be obtained.

It having been stated that two or three men have been told they would not be paid for work done, it was unanimously resolved that two men should attempt at the pit gates and gather money for them if the report proved true.

A filler said before the meeting closed, it was only right that the public should know one thing, Mr Chambers the manager had told them distinctly that their duty was to give in their notices, and during that time the notice were working out he would do the best he could for them or words to that effect. (A voice: “That’s true.”) If these words of encouragement have not been given them their notices would not have been given in. (A Voice: “He said that outside the pit gates.”) It was on the day that the pit was set down. Notwithstanding this, he said, now the notices had expired, “He could do nothing at all.” As a good deal I gone through the, was only right that they should know too. (Here, here).

The proceedings then ended.