Sheffield Independent – Tuesday 16 July 1889
Dispute At Denaby Main Colliery.
Meeting Of Miners.
On Saturday night at the lodgeroom of the Denaby Main minors at Mexbro’, a meeting of the ” top men ” took place. The object was to consider the wages question, aud to organise the employees.
It was explained that a number of the men could not attend as they were making alterations at the screens for the company ; revolving screens are being introduced in place of the old-fashioned riddles.
The Chairman said it was high time the men dealt with the question in a resolute manner. It was the only way by which they could hope to get what they deserved. They did not seem to make much progress in the matter, and it was just because the men did not co-operate together and show the masters that they meant what they said. It was true that about 50 persons had joined the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, but some of them had not paid the full entrance fee, and there were many who had not yet given in their names.
They needed to choose another deputation to wait upon the manager, to see what he really meant to do about their wages. They were entitled to Another 5 per cent. advance at once. He supposed there was no one present who had been given the advance. (Several voices exclaimed ‘No.”) Well, then, it was time they stirred in the matter. (Hear, Hear.) The sum they were paid prior to 1885 was 4s. 1d. per day. But they then got it reduced to 3s. 11d., and that had been what they were paid until a short time ago. Now they had got the old price back again. (A Voice : “Some have and some haven’t;” Another, “I get less than that.”)
The chairman said it was a shame they did not get paid better. At Lords’, Manvers Main, Wath Main, Cortonwood, and at Little Houghton the screen-men were paid at the rate of 4s. 3d. per day, whereas at Denaoy Main the men only got 2s. 10d. (A Voice : ” I get 2s. 3d. ;” and another: ” They pay me 2s. 3d.”) l
The Chairman said these men who got paid so little should be the first to join the association, for they would then stand a far better chance of success with their application.
An employee suggested that they should get some of the Manvers Main ” top men ” to join them in their agitation.
The Chairman said that was a very good idea, and might be acted upon. He was under the impression that some of the Denaby men were afraid to speak and act for tear of getting ” the sack,” like he had.
Several voices replied that they were not afraid, but they could not see what was the best course to pursue. The proceedings., were eventually adjourned.
On Saturday night at the lodgeroom of the Denaby Main minors at Mexbro’, a meeting of the ” top men ” took place. The object was to consider the wages question, aud to organise the employes.
It was explained that a number of the men could not attend as they were making alterations at the screens for the company ; revolving screens are being introduced in place of the old-fashioned riddles.
The Chairman said it was high time the men dealt with the question in a resolute manner. It was the only way by which they could hope to get what they deserved. They did not seem to make much progress in the matter, and it was just because the men did not co-operate together and show the masters that they meant what they said. It was true that about 50 persons had joined the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, but some of them had not paid the full entrance fee, and there were many who had not yet given in their names.
They needed to choose another deputation to wait upon the manager, to see what he really meant to do about their wages. They were entitled to Another 5 per cent. advance at once. He supposed there was no one present who had been given the advance. (Several voices exclaimed ‘No.”) Well, then, it was time they stirred in the matter. (Hear, Hear.) The sum they were paid prior to 1885 was 4s. 1d. per day. But they then got it reduced to 3s. 11d., and that had been what they were paid until a short time ago. Now they had got the old price back again. (A Voice : “Some have and some haven’t;” Another, “I get less than that.”)
The chairman said it was a shame they did not get paid better. At Lords’, Manvers Main, Wath Main, Cortonwood, and at Little Houghton the screen-men were paid at the rate of 4s. 3d. per day, whereas at Denaoy Main the men only got 2s. 10d. (A Voice : ” I get 2s. 3d. ;” and another: ” They pay me 2s. 3d.”) l
The Chairman said these men who got paid so little should be the first to join the association, for they would then stand a far better chance of success with their application.
An employee suggested that they should get some of the Manvers Main ” top men ” to join them in their agitation.
The Chairman said that was a very good idea, and might be acted upon. He was under the impression that some of the Denaby men were afraid to speak and act for tear of getting ” the sack,” like he had.
Several voices replied that they were not afraid, but they could not see what was the best course to pursue. The proceedings., were eventually adjourned.