South Yorkshire Times October 27, 1956

Hickleton and Cadeby disputes
4,500 Miners Back to Work

At mass meetings held at Denaby and Thurnscoe on Sunday, strikes at Cadeby Main and Hickleton were terminated and the two collieries were working normally on Monday.

NUM branch secretary at Cadeby, county council J Prendergast, told the men that he had gained a promise from the management that the old system of roof holding will be reintroduced in the Dunsill seam.

The men had objected to a new system of roof holding introduced in June. The system, “caving,” was tried out instead of the usual packing and drawing off, but the men claimed that the position was getting less and less safe to work under. They agreed to return to work when they heard of the change “but they were very disgusted that they had to revert to strike action to ensure their own safety,” said Councillor Prendergast. About 6000 tons of coal have been lost by the strike.