Disputes at Cadeby Pit

June 1958

South Yorkshire Times June 14, 1958

Disputes at Two Pits

Hickleton Main Colliery was completely idle yesterday (Thursday), though the 3000 men employed there had been advised by N.U.M. branch officials not to strike.

The trouble began on Tuesday afternoon, when 34 “market” men were told that, although contract work was available, there was a shortage of haulage hands and a number of them would be detailed for haulage work. The men wanted to know what rates of pay they were going to receive for haulage work, but it is understood that no guarantee was forthcoming. A mass meeting was called on Wednesday and a resolution by chairman Coun. Harry Foster, that all men should return to work, was defeated. Union officials advised the men to return to work, although sympathising with the “market” men.

And At Cadeby

About 40 haulage hands at Cadeby Colliery were still out on strike yesterday (Thursday) because of a grievance concerning the loss of their weekly bonus, because they were unable to work when about 300 coal face workers came out on strike on Monday and Tuesday.

The face workers refused to work on Monday afternoon because of a pay dispute. At a mass meeting on Monday night they refused to return to work until a higher N.U.M. official from Barnsley took up their case. Mr. J. T. E. Collins and Mr. A. Collins, permanent  officials from Barnsley, did so, and the men returned to work on Wednesday morning, but they were unable to work because of a strike of haulage hands.

It was then the turn of the coal face workers to be sent home as there was no work for them in the Barnsley and Dunsil seams of the pick, which were idle yesterday.

 

About 4500 tons coal have been most.

Last night N.U.M. branch secretary, Mr. J. Prendergast, he expected the men to return to  work after the week-end.