Pit Stoppage – Boy’s Dispute

February 1937

Mexborough Swinton Times February 12, 1937

Pit Stoppage – Boy’s Dispute

A 16 hour stoppage of work occurred at the weekend at Denaby Main Colliery through the action of about 100 boys engaged on the afternoon shift refusing to descend the colliery at the beginning of their particular shift on Friday.

The boys were strongly urged by officials of the Denaby Main branch of the YMCA to go to the pit were told that in the meantime a deputation from the branch would interview the management to discuss any grievances but the lads refused to accept this advice, and as a result about 300 men who had arrived at the colliery in readiness for work were obliged to return home.

A number of men were able to work on the night shift however.

The trouble spread no further and whilst they were still a few boys absent on the morning shift on Saturday a full resumption of work was achieved, normal conditions obtaining.

It is understood that the trouble arose over a wage dispute involving 11 boys.