Mexborough and Swinton Times November 1, 1895

The Denaby Main Colliery Strike
No Settlement Yet
Attempts at Negotiation Futile

The unfortunate trouble at Denaby Main Colliery does not be likely to cease immediately as last week it was hoped it would, and the prospect is rather that of a long and severe struggle than of a speedy and amicable settlement.

Since last Thursday the top men have held daily meeting at which the situation of affairs has been discussed, and at their meeting on Saturday morning Mr Tom Hough, the organising delegate of the National Amalgamated Union of Labourers, proposed to the men that they should make another attempt to obtain a settlement of the dispute. On this suggestion, a deputation was sent to the manager of the colliery, Mr W.H.Chambers, with an offer that the men would return to work if he undertook to investigate their grievances within a fortnight, the men to be represented at such an investigation with their organising delegate, Mr Hough.

The top men at their Friday’s meeting resolved that they would take no steps to reopen negotiations until the firm approached him, but Mr Hough prevailed upon them to make one more attempt to come to a settlement and they finally agreed, although not without some persuasion, that another deputation should go to the manager.

Mrs Chambers received this deputation, on Monday morning, but, unfortunately, the result of the interview was not what the top men considered satisfactory, and they unanimously resolved to decline the terms offered them by the manager.

At this suggestion of Mr Hough, Mr Chambers was again approached, this time to ask him to use his influence with the Coal Owners Association to induce them to undertake an enquiry into the merits of the dispute. The manager of the colliery could not, however, see his way to do this and with his refusal, all attempts at negotiation between the men on strike and their employers may be said to have been abandoned for the present at all events.

On Wednesday, however, the Reverent R.P. Rosevere, the curate in charge at Denaby Main, sent word to Mr Tom Hough that he would like to have an interview with him. Mr Hough went, taking with him several members of the strike committee. They were all entertained to luncheon and talked over the matter of the dispute with Mr Rosevere, but so far nothing has transpired as to what extent is mediation, if any, will go.

Practically therefore, the situation remains entirely unchanged from last week, and there is not the slightest reason to hope that any settlement of the dispute is near at hand. The topmen have received a week strike pay from their Union, and the financial members of the Union have also received some payment, and no one on their side at any rate has exhibited any sign of giving way on the main point, namely that they should be a distinct promise of investigation of the grievance complained of, within a limited time, before they return to work.

This week, having “played” a week as required by the resolution of the Council of the Yorkshire Miners Association, the Underground workmen at Denaby who are thrown out of employment by the strike, become eligible for strike pay, which will be continued while the colliery remains at a standstill.

The top men’s headquarters are the George and Dragon, Mexborough, in the clubroom of which they hold their daily meetings. The custom has been for the men to assemble every morning and have their names recorded, the object of this being that the Strike Committee assure themselves that all the men are standing by their resolution.