Strike at Denaby Main Colliery

October 1880

Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 22.

Strike at Denaby Main Colliery.

At noon on Wednesday the banks men employed at the Denaby Main Colliery left work en masse, and it was feared that the pit would have to be temporarily stopped.

The menhad just completed some contract work, and before they continued their services they wanted an understanding with Mr Warburton, the manager, as to whether they would be paid at a similar rate as they had done the contract work for.

In answer to their enquiries, the manager told them that they should receive the same wages, but only on one condition, which was that they should work two hours longer – i.e. 10 hours instead of eight per diem.

The banksmen thereupon had a consultation amongst themselves, the result being that they unanimously decided to leave their work, which they accordingly did.

This put the manager in an awkward fix, and he feared that the departure of these 50 or 60 men from work would result in the pit been stopped. As soon as possible the places of the men on strike were filled, and the stoppage of the pit was fortunately averted.

On the following morning some of the men who had struck returned to work. As soon as this came to the knowledge of some of the other and on strike, threats were made use of by them, and this intimidation had the desired effect of causing the men to at once leave the pit.

The men seem determined not to return to work, except the hours should be the same as previously, or unless they receive more remuneration for the extra two hours.

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