Mexborough and Swinton Times October 25, 1895

Strike Denaby Main Colliery
No Settlement of the Top Men’s Dispute
2000 Men Leave Work
The Management Supported by the Coal Owners Association
The Top Men’s Notices Stand
The Underground Workers Locked Out
The Largest Pit in Yorkshire Idle

The trouble threatened at Denaby Main colliery by the topmen handling in their notices, last week, has unfortunately taken a far less favourable turn than was anticipated, and so, far from a settlement of the dispute been speedily arrived at, the top men have struck work and thereby

Set Down the Colliery

thus causing the Underground workmen to bring out their tools and come out in accordance with the notice given them by their employers. It became evident early in the week that the dispute would culminate in a stoppage of work. At a meeting held yesterday week the demands of the top men were formulated and forwarded to the manager, and on Saturday afternoon, a brief reply from Mr Chambers was received stating that the demands of the men could not be entertained.This led to a further

Meeting of the Topmen

on Monday, at which a greatly modified request was addressed to the management, the topmen, instead of requiring the immediate address of their grievances, offering to continue work another fortnight, if the management, together with their union officials, pledged themselves to investigate the grievance of the men during that time. Meanwhile, a meeting of the coal owners had been held, which consideration was given to the case of Denaby Main Colliery, and the proprietors of the colliery were promised the support of the Association so long as the made no attempt to infringe

The Roseberry Conference

and Mr Chambers, in reply to the memorial addressed to him by Monday night’s meeting of the topmen, asserted that the colliery company had done nothing but adhere to the agreement arrived at by the Roseberry conference, and that no advance in the wages now paid could be expected, and on behalf of the company, was ready to meet any of their workmen, but declined to discuss any grievances with Mr Hough. This was submitted to a meeting of topmen on Tuesday night, and regarded by them as a point-blank refusal of their demands, on the question been put them whether they would stand by their notices or withdraw them, they decided unanimously to

Stick to Their Notices

and refuse to commence work on Wednesday. Pickets was then appointed and instruction by Mr Hough how best to discharge their duty, and on Wednesday morning these men went to their appointed posts, and the Denaby Main strike had commenced.

On Monday night the Underground workmen at the colliery met at the Lodge room at the Masons Arms, Doncaster Road to consider the situation. The officials of the Lodge pointed out to the men that they were helpless in the matter. A joint deputation will meet the manager of the colliery on Tuesday afternoon to endeavour to come to a settlement, but if this was not accomplished there would be nothing for it but to

Bring Out Their Tools

and await a settlement of the topmen is difficult. The joint deputation failed to accomplish that object, Mr Chambers stated that he was bound by the Board of Conciliation, to adhere to the agreement of the Roseberry Conference, and could discuss no question of wages with the deputation

Mr Tennant, while the deputy, on behalf of the underground men suggest that the minor grievances of the topmen might be discussed, but Mr Hough refused to discuss these unless the question of shunters, firemen and drivers wages was also discussed, and withdrew, following by the topmen half of the joint deputation. Consequently the Underground workmen employed at Denaby

Ceased Work on Tuesday

simultaneously with their corresponding shifts of topmen, and their lockout commenced on Wednesday morning. No further meeting of the mines at Daniels on Tuesday night, events of Tuesday I would be policy and prepare for on Monday night.

As is known Denaby Main Colliery as the largest output of any in Yorkshire, and further, employs a greatest number workmen of any colliery in the county. The number of men will be affected by the stoppage is stated to be nearly 2000. The topmen, while most of the members of the National Amalgamated Union of Labour, and in the majority of cases entire receive strike pay, and pending the settlement of the dispute, the mines will also receive strike pay their union, the Yorkshire Miners Association.

The Coal Owners Conference

The question of the dispute at Denaby Main Colliery was before the Committee of the South Yorkshire Coal Owners Association on Monday. The committee found that no reductions had been made in wages, and that, while they would not support the company making any such reduction, they will support them in resisting any demand for advances in wages, or for alterations equivalent to an advance, the unanimous view of the committee being that the arrangement come to at the Roseberry Conference should be adhered to loyally.

Instructions were given to the Denaby Company as the course to take, and they were informed that they would have the support of the Association while their pits were standing.