Dispute – Imminent Strike

October 1895

Mexborough and Swinton Times October 18, 1895

The Dispute at Denaby Main Colliery
Strike Imminent

Much concern is naturally been felt, not only amongst the miners themselves but by the tradesmen and general public, in consequence of the action of the surface man at this Colliery giving their noses, which unless arrangements are come to in the meantime – and this, we regret to say, appears to be extremely unlikely – will expire on Tuesday and Wednesday next.

There is no grievances so far as the underground workmen are concerned, and this makes the dispute all the more regrettable. If the questions at issue are not amicably disposed of without causing a cessation in work, and especially seeing that matters have now proceeded smoothly for some time which to a great extent is due to the wages having been fixed as the outcome of the Roseberry agreement in 1893; but the proceeds of complaint alleged against the management in this instance are wholly with respect to the surfacemen, while the number of grievances to be rectified, some of which, it is said, have existed for a long time, whilst others have arisen but just recently.

One important matter which is contended on the part of the men is that they are paid at rates much below those in force at other collieries for similar classes of labour, and also that the hours worked per week or in excess of those work by top men at any other colliery in the district.

It will be remembered that the local men and shunters gave in their notices owing to their application for an advance in wages being declined, and terminated their agreement on Friday last week. Since then, however, a deputation of these men waited upon the manager, Mr W.H.Chambers, and arrangements were made to return to work at the same rate of pay until the expiration of the other notices next week.

As soon as a top men had given their notices Mr Chambers confirmed with a representative of the Miners Union to know if they would require individual notice or would accept a pit head notice. On a meeting being called it was decided that a pit head notice be given, and on the men presenting themselves at the pit mouth the next morning, they found a notice posted, of which the following is a copy viz.:

“Denaby Main Colliery.

Notice is hereby given that the service of all persons employed at the Denaby Main Colliery will terminate in 14 days from the date thereof.

For the Denaby and Cadeby Main Collieries Ltd

W.H.Chambers October 9, 1895

The top men, it should be stated are not now members of the Yorkshire Miners Association, they are been withdrawn from that society and join one of their own viz: The National Amalgamated Union of Labour, forming a branch at the George and Dragon, Mexborough, where regular meetings are held. The headquarters of this society are Newcastle upon Tyne. The organising secretary for this to be Mr Thomas Hough of Sheffield with Mr James Frost, banksman, Denaby Main as local secretary.

Mr Hough, it may be remembered, recently gave a series of lectures in the neighbourhood on “Socialism.”

The Cadeby workmen, although members of the same Branch, or not, we understand, taking part in this dispute.

A strong deputation of both the underground and surface workmen waited upon the manager on Wednesday, and the very discretion of a fully lay before that gentleman, but from what can be learned as to what took place the prospect of an immediate settlement is very discouraging indeed, and it is feared by those who are best able to judge from the attitude sooner both sides, that a serious stoppage of work will result. It is still hoped however, that wiser counsel will prevail, and that what is now gravely feared may not take place.