Affairs at Denaby Main.

April 1890

Sheffield Independent – Thursday 17 April 1890

Affairs at Denaby Main.

On Tuesday night a crowded meeting of the Denaby Main miners was held in the branch room, the Mason’s Arms, Mexbro’.

The Chairman stated that the meeting had been convened to near the report of a deputation which had waited upon the manager that day on several matters complained of by the miners in connection with the last advance conceded to the miners and a portion of the topmen, instead of to all, in accordance with the Federation agreement.

The manager informed them that be thought he was paying the same to the topmen as was paid at the neighbouring collieries, but he had read Mr. Parrott’s speech at Manvers Main the previous night, in which he referred to a circular being issued shortly, when the whole matter would be dealt with by the colliery owners. Any arrangement then come to would apply to surfacemen who had not yet received, it, and they should have the benefit from the time it was given to the miners. It was resolved to adjourn this question till the next meeting to see what is done in the meantime.

The deputation who had waited upon the district officials at Barnsley on the price list, said they told Mr. Pickard that they were not getting the same tonnage rate as was paid at the bring neighbouring collieries, and unless something was done to get back what was extracted from them in 1885, serious consequences might arise.

Another Miner stated that the price paid for getting and filling a ton of coal was 1s. 0d. whereas it should be 1s. 3d., and he did not believe in working for 2d. per ton less than what was paid at other collieries. He moved that the ballot papers be sent for from Barnsley, so that they might test the men on this question. It was getting quite old enough, aad depend upon it unless they got their old prices back, the new colliery at Conisbro’ would have to accept the same rate as was paid at Denaby, and sooner or later a battle would take place.

A Miner proposed that they give in their notices.

The secretary said that as they were members of a strong organisation they must abide by its rules and regulations. He thought the better plan would be to conform to them, and then they would have the support and assistance of the whole district.

Eventually it was resolved ” That this meeting urges upon the officials and the executive committee to attend to the price list at Denaby Main at once, and unless something is immediately done the men will take their own coarse in giving in their notices to enforce the same.”