South Yorkshire Times, April 8th, 1944
South Yorkshire Coal Strike
Majority of Miners Still Out
Despite a resumption of work at some pits the strike in the South Yorkshire coalfield was continued by the majority of the men during the week. Several false starts were reported and at some pits there was a half-hearted resumption of work which soon lapsed into complete stoppage again.
However, by Tuesday all the Newton Chambers’ pits were drawing coal, and the same day Barrow and Brierley re-started. A start has been made on Monday at Grimethorpe, Monk Bretton, and Wharncliffe Silkstone and work was continued even though full attendance was not the rule.
About 100 men worked at Kilnhurst colliery yesterday (Wednesday) morning, but in the afternoon the pit was virtually at a standstill again.
A meeting of Denaby miners will be held at the Reresby Arms this (Thursday) morning and Cadeby men will also meet this morning at Denaby Miners’ Welfare.
The strike ended at Frickley yesterday. Y.M.A. branch officials held meetings at street corners and in the clubs at South Elmsall on Tuesday and in the evening appeals to go back to work were flashed on the screens at the local cinemas. A large number of men went back on the night shift and there was an 80% turn up yesterday morning. A few men drifted back at South Kirkby, but nobody was working at Upton.
In accordance with a resolution passed at a meeting at Darfield on Sunday, employees of Houghton Main Colliery and Dearne Valley Colliery returned to work on Monday morning. Dearne Valley Colliery has been working at full strength and the number reporting for work has daily increased at Houghton Main, until 90 per cent were back on Tuesday. On Wednesday, a party of young strikers assembled at the pit and persuaded youths and boys not to go down, and the men could not work.
At meetings held yesterday, employees of Mitchell Main and Darfield Main collieries decided to resume work to-day (Thursday).
To resume work next Tuesday?
“At a meeting at Hemsworth yesterday of representatives and committee from South Kirkby, Hemsworth, Upton, Grimethorpe, Brierley, Monckton, and Monckton “A” collieries it was unanimously resolved to recommend all members to resume work on Tuesday, April 11th 1944 and further that a special meeting be held on Sunday, April 9th, in the Hippodrome, Hemsworth, to be addressed by Mr. J. A. Hall, J.P., Y.M.A. president.” This resolution was handed to the press by Mr H. E. Holmes, J.P., of Monckton and Mr. B. Nuttall of Monckton A.
No ”Rule by Rabble”
Mr. J. A. Hall., the Yorkshire Miners’ President said on Tuesday, “We are no longer going to tolerate rule by rabble. The Trade Union movement has been built up by loyalty, self-sacrifice, and discipline. We are not going to see it ruined by wrecking tactics.
He said during the past three years more had been gained for the miners than in the previous 30. The gravity of the situation was underlined when Mr. Ernest Bevin, Minister of Labour, declared on Tuesday “We are not going to lose this war – whether it is apprentices or miners or anybody else.”
Mr. Hall told the Times yesterday (Wednesday) “I am satisfied that whatever step Mr. Bevin takes will be for the ultimate good of the working class.” Mr. Hall had been called by urgent wire to a conference at which the executive of the Miners’ Federation will meet Mr. Bevin in London to-day (Thursday).
Mr. Hall told the times yesterday, “I have no idea what the proposal is. I can only conclude it is urgent.” I am going to meet Mr. Bevin with the utmost confidence. Any of the benefits we have got have been achieved through his friendly co-operation.
Mr. Hall had a word or two to say about the subservice element behind the strike. This was one of the reasons they were plunged into a strike before they had a chance of meeting the owners. He said this movement had been active for the past two years and at the time of the trouble at Cortonwood he reported it to the Home Secretary.