690

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

October 1, 1915.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

A speech that has attracted much attention was delivered
at Abertillery, on Monday, by Mr. J. Winstone, president
of the Federation. He named certain collieries, asserting
that he had had difficulty in preventing stoppages. In one
case, surfacemen and stokers had not been paid the standard
rate, the management holding that it was not due to these
men till a month after the miners and other underground
men had received it. This was absolutely contrary to the
terms of the settlement, which stated that the new rates
were to be paid to all members of the Federation. The bonus
turn applied to surface men on the afternoon and night
shifts; but at one colliery was refused. Disputes existed also
as to rates for night hauliers. There was in another place
the establishment of an age limit against the workmen,
although no age limit was set forth in the award, and the
endeavour of the management was to introduce the able-
bodied clause that had been deleted by the Government
representatives. The Federation claimed that the men were
entitled to payment for the work they performed, irrespective
of age. He protested also against an attempt to average
the wages of men in abnormal places; the House of Lords
in the “ fortnightly average ” case having decided against
average, striking it out of the award of Lord St. Aldwyn.

The anthracite miners, at a meeting of delegates in
Swansea on Saturday, wffiere 15,000 men were represented,
considered the new wage agreement, and also certain matters
arising from its being brought into operation. Disputes
existed both .as to the merging of the standards, the effect
upon certain classes of workmen, and the old question was
further raised as to the supposed loss of 5 per cent. Some
of the delegates made protest about what they termed
“ unjustifiable alterations by the employers ” ; and there was
a threat of strike. It was stated that some employers had
added only 45 per cent, to the old standard; others had
different rates above that point, and that their action had
been separate, no consultation being made with the men.
The contention, of course, .at the meeting was that the
standard should be as in the steam coal area—namely, that
of 1879 plus 50 per cent. To avert “ serious trouble,” the
agents were desired to communicate with the coal owners
so that this matter should be dealt with, and all the men
be paid upon the same rate as the steam coal workmen—
namely, 91J above the old standard; this to continue until
the enquiry had come to a decision concerning the “ lost
5 per cent.” The president of the Federation, with the
secretary, were expected to attend a special meeting in
Swansea; and during their attendance opportunity would be
taken to discuss the large increase in employment of
foreigners in the local collieries, one assertion being that
20 per cent, of the men employed are not British. Another
subject brought up was as to the employment of non-
unionists, and permission was given for several collieries
in the Gwendraeth area (to a total of about 3,000 men) to
put in notices at an early date terminating contracts unless
non-unionists were brought into line. It was reported to
the meeting that the enginemen and stokers in the anthracite
area had joined the Miners’ Federation.

The controversy between the Miners’ Federation and the
Enginemen and Stokers’ Association still continues,
endeavour being made on the one hand to prove that it is the
miners’ organisation which has gained the advantages that
the enginemen, stokers, and craftsmen now enjoy; whereas,
on the other hand, it is contended that the separate neces-
sities of the three latter classes make .an independent
organisation needful, and that so far as their conditions are
improved it has been by their separate action.

The Rhondda miners are again disturbed on the question
of non-unionists; and at a meeting held on Monday they
considered a resolution from one of the lodges that there
should be general “ show cards ” throughout the district,
with special effort to bring workmen of all classes into the
Federation. The agent (Mr. W. John) stated that the
employers refused to grant facilities “ so as to avert non-
unionist stoppages during the period of the wTar.” Numerous
applications, he said, had been received for permission to
tender notices on the question, but the permission had been
withheld; and the whole matter was referred by the Federa-
tion executive to the districts.

In the course of the discussion as to the desirability of
bringing the enginemen and stokers .into the Federation,
Mr. W. Davis (an ex-agent of the Enginemen and Stokers’
Association) said that its membership had decreased in three
years from 2,600 to 1,025 in June last. It was decided that
general “ show cards ” should take place on October 18.

Some complaints were made as to alleged breach of the
Eight Hours Act, and a resolution was passed that no coal
should be filled on any .shift between Saturday afternoon
and Monday morning, or any work outside the ordinary
hours be done. Another motion, to suspend all the work of
the colliery during the week-end, was referred to the lodges
for consideration.

The miners’ executive met at Cardiff on Saturday, and
dealt with some complaints that the war bonus granted to
all other workmen in the coalfield had not been paid to
fireman; also, that in some cases where the bonus had been
paid, it was below the 17£ per cent, agreed upon. The
general secretary had written to the secretary of the Coal
Owners’ Association on the subject, and it was stated had
received a reply to the effect that examiners were regarded
as officials; and the only course for them was to confer
with the owners at the particular pits referred to. Much
dissatisfaction was expressed at this; and a special confer-
ence of the whole of the firemen is to be called for
October 16 to discuss a minimum wage-rate, with recognition
of their association by the coal owners; the matter of the
war bonus .and other points being dealt with at the same
time. Some complaint was made at the same meeting as to
the kind of lamps supplied to firemen in certain parts of the
coal field for the purpose of testing gas.

The Avon Valley miners held their monthly meeting at
Port Talbot on Saturday, nearly 7,000 men being repre-
sented, and it was reported that at some pits there had
been refusal to pay certain workmen according to the terms
of the new agreement. It was also reported that practically
all the enginemen and stokers in the district had joined
the Miners’ Federation, and that at the present meeting
three new branches submitted applications for admission.
At three or four collieries on account of the non-unionist
question the men desired permission to tender notices; but
the agent urged patience, advising individual canvass of
the outsiders.

Owing to some misunderstanding with the colliery police
there was a strike of about a thousand miners at Bedwas
Colliery; but it came to an end after a few hours, the men
being urged to return to work. The further question raised
during a meeting that was called was as to the surfacemen

becoming members of the Federation; but it was decided
that all should return to work; and the night shift entered
the pit at the usual time.

A resolution has been passed by the Pontypridd miners on
the question of Saturday night and Sunday work, their
demand being for a six-hour shift, with pay for a turn and
a-half in respect of work after two o’clock on Saturday.

Tredegar district meeting of miners have had a report from
their agent that the new agreement was being put into opera-
tion satisfactorily. Llanover Colliery employees sought per-
mission to tender notices in reference to wages and hours of
banksmen; but they are called upon to formulate their
grievance, so that their request may be sent on to the
Federation executive.

North of England.

All fears of trouble between masters and men in the
Northumberland coal field on the question of wages must
surely be dispelled now, for the miners have received from
the owners what is, we believe, a record advance. It will
be remembered that, after Mr. Asquith’s award, many of
the men were still dissatisfied, and appealed to the Premier
for his interpretation of that award, on which depended the
granting or refusal of a further advance in wages of 11 per
cent. Mr. Asquith decided against the men, however, but
their association decided to ask for a special meeting with
the owners in order to seek “ a substantial advance in
wages.” This took pla^e a fortnight ago, and it was agreed
to adjourn the meeting until last Saturday, so that the
ascertainment of the selling price of coal for the three months
ended August could be considered. The accountants’ state-
ment showed that the average net selling price of coal at the
pit head was 12s. ll‘84d., as against 11s. 7'72d. for the
previous quarter, an increase of Is. 4T2d. This, together
with the 11 per cent, to which the miners would have been
entitled three months ago, had there been no maximum to
the sliding scale agreement, would have meant an increase
in wages of 27 per cent., making a total of 92 per cent,
above the basis of 1879. The sliding scale agreement, how-
ever, only provides for a maximum of 65 per cent, above
basis rates, but the coal owners have agreed to suspend the
maximum for the period of the war, and to grant an increase
in wages of one per cent, for every l|d. per ton rise in
the price of coal. The miners have, therefore, been conceded
an advance of 18 per cent., making a total of 83 per cent,
above basis, to take effect from the first pay in October. The
concession, it should be noted, is a particularly generous
one, as the owners were under no obligation, legal or other-
wise, to waive the sliding scale agreement.

A strike of miners at New Delaval, which commenced on
Wednesday of last week, was terminated at the beginning of
this. week. The dispute had reference to the supply of
mining timber, and the resumption was accompanied by a
promise from the colliery management that the grievance
would be remedied as soon as possible.

At a meeting of the Durham Joint District Board, held at
Newcastle on Tuesday last, Mr. Thos. Taylor presiding, a
communication was read from the Board of Trade appointing
Mr. Ernest Moon, K.C., as chairman of the board, in place
of Sir Robert Romer, resigned. The following resolutions
on district rules were adopted :—

‘‘ That Rule 4 be omitted, and the following inserted
in its place :—In any week in which the days on which
coal is ordinarily drawn at a colliery are five, a workman
shall forfeit his right to wages at the minimum rate during
that pay if he be absent from work on any day without
leave or without reasonable excuse. In any week in which
the days on which coal is ordinarily drawn at a colliery
are six, then, if coal is drawn on four, five, or six days, a
workman shall forfeit his right to wages at the minimum
rate during that pay if he is absent from work for more than
one day in that week without leave or reasonable excuse. In
any such week, if coal is drawn only on one, two, or three
days, a workman shall forfeit his right to wages at the
minimum rate during that pay if he is absent on any day
without leave, or without reasonable excuse. Provided
always that, if a workman whose ordinary working days
are ^even per week shall have worked for six days during
the pay, if it be a weekly pay, or 12 days during such pay,
if it be a fortnightly pay, his absence from work during
the remainder of such weekly or fortnightly pay, as the case
may be, shall, not render him liable to a forfeiture under
this rule. This rule shall be deemed to apply to and shall
take effect in the case of any colliery at which coal is
ordinarily drawn on 12 days in each successive period of
two weeks, as if the first of such weeks had been a week
in which coal was ordinarily drawn on five days only, and
as if the second of such weeks had been a week in which
coal was ordinarily drawn on six days.”

“ Hewers Putting.—That the following arrangement shall
apply in the case of hewers putting : Whenever, during any
pay,, a hewer at the request of the employer is engaged in
putting for a full hewer’s shift, his earnings at putting and
those at hewing shall, for minimum wage purposes, be dealt
with separately.”

In all other respects the district rules are to remain
unaltered. The coal owners were represented by Messrs.
G. Ainsworth, A. Kirkup, Simon Tate, J. H. B. Forster,
F. O. Kirkup, A. F. Pease, 0. S. Carnes, T. Y. Greener, and
Philip Kirkup. There was a full representation of the men’s
officials.

Federated Area.

Mr. J. G. Hancock, M.P., reported at the monthly council
meeting of the Nottinghamshire Miners’ Association on
Saturday, that the dispute at Babbington Colliery with
reference to the non-union question had been amicably
settled. It having been decided that a voluntary levy should
be made throughout the county to augment the sum received
by members of the old age pension fund in consequence of
the inceased cost of living, the council decided that the extra
amount to be allowed should be Is. 6d. per week. The
officials reported that they and the Derbyshire miners’
officials had met Mr. Dennis Bayley and representatives of
the colliery owners in the two counties on the question of
raising funds to supply a motor ambulance convoy to be used
in the war. At that conference the officials agreed to certain
recommendations which the council endorsed. The secre-
tary, Mr. C. Bunfield, was instructed to convene a meeting
of the local disputes board with a view to settling a dispute
at Linby Colliery, concerning payment for loose side heading.
Mr. Hancock gave a report on the price list at Babbington
Colliery, and the matter was left in his hands.

At a meeting of the executive council of the Lancashire
and Cheshire Miners’ Federation held at the Miners’ Hall,
Bolton, last Saturday, Mr. Thomas Greenall, presiding, it
was stated that their members had approved of a scheme
to prevent stoppages at the collieries through any dispute
that might arise from time to time. The scheme was to be
submitted to the consideration of the employers at a con-
ference to be held in Manchester this week. It was reported

that the employers had agreed to contribute along with the
men for a convoy of motor ambulances for our wounded
soldiers in France and the Dardanelles. The value of this
gift from employers and workmen will be about .£30,000.

The newly-formed union of the North Wales clerks and
colliery weighmen has applied to the Joint Board to become
members of that body, which is comprised of the unions of
the enginemen, stokers, underground firemen, and surface-
men. Each of these unions have agreed to the proposal, and
probably the Board, at its next meeting, will give the
required permission. The officials of the Surfacemen’s
Union have decided to make application to the employers to
advance the wages of the men employed in the local brick
works, owing to the continued rise in the cost of living.

A conference of representatives of the Leen Valley colliery
owners and the Notts Miners’ Association was held at the
Nottingham Victoria Station on Tuesday, September 28, to
further discuss the surface workers’ question and the revised
scale of wages for boys employed on the main roads in the
collieries and on the pit banks. No agreement was arrived at
so far as the surface workers were concerned, but the amended
agreement for boys and bank workers was accepted.

Scotland.

The miners employed in Bellshill district have now carried
into practice the 11 days’ policy suggested by the Govern-
ment. Fully 3,000 men are concerned. The five-day week
policy has been rigidly maintained in Lanarkshire for about
10 years.

The dispute which has been going on at Garfin Collieries
has now ended. The proposed reductions have been with-
drawn. In addition to this, an improved “ drawing ”
arrangement has been agreed to.

In view of the war crisis, the Scottish Coal Trade Con-
ciliation Board is to be continued. Notice was given on
April 1 by the representatives of the National Union of
Scottish Mine Workers that the Board should terminate on
September 30. A meeting of the Board was held on Tuesday
to consider the position. Mr. Adam Nimmo (chairman) pre-
sided. After discussion, it was unanimously agreed, having
regard to the necessity for doing everything to sustain the
country’s position during the present crisis, to continue the
Board in the meantime, subject to three months’ notice on
either side. A small committee, representative of both sides,
was appointed to revise the rules of the Board, so as to bring
them into line with existing circumstances, and also to con-
sider the various questions that might go to form a new wages
agreement. The Board was established on January 5, 1900,
and since that time all important disputes relating to wages
have been referred to it for decision. The Board consists of
12 representatives elected by the mine owners and 12 by the
miners. In the event of the Board being unable to agree,
the matter in dispute is remitted to an independent chair-
man, who acts as arbiter. The question of a new wages
agreement was raised by the miners’ representatives about
six months ago. They proposed that the agreement should
embody a new basis on which to regulate the wages of
mine workers. At present the basis on which changes are
made is the rate current in 1888, which the miners maintain
has now become obsolete. The employers have hitherto
taken up the position that, in view of the war, the time is
inopportune to discuss a new wages agreement.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

In accordance with the sliding scale arrangement of the
Board of Conciliation and Arbitration for the manufactured
iron and steel trade of the North of England, there will be
an advance of Is. per ton on puddling, and 10 per cent, on
all other forge and mill wages, as from Monday,
September 27. These make a total increase in puddlers’
wages of 2s. 3d. per ton since the war commenced, and of
22| per cent, on all other forge and mill wages in the same
period. As compared with the previous two months, the
average net selling price shows an increase of 19s. 0'93d.
per ton. The average selling price has advanced by
£2 4s. 6|d. per ton in the 12 months, whilst the production
has fallen off by one-third.

Messrs. James C. Bishop and James Gavin, joint
secretaries of the Scottish Manufactured Iron Trade Concilia-
tion and Arbitration Board, have received intimation from
Mr. John M. MacLeod, chartered accountant, Glasgow, that
he has examined the employers’ books for July and August
1915, and certifies the average net selling price brought
out as £8 10s. 9’2d. per ton. This means an increase of
7 J per cent, in the wages of the workmen.

A meeting of the Midland Iron and Steel Wages Board
was held at Birmingham on Monday, Sir George Hingley
presiding. The business before the meeting was the ques-
tion of merging the war bonus, and any further advances
in wages which may take place, under the sliding scale. It
is understood that the meeting reached an agreement which
will be communicated to the interested parties at an early
date.

South Wales and Monmouthshire iron and steel workers
whose operations are regulated by a sliding scale have been
informed that after the usual audit and ascertainment of
prices their wages are to be advanced by 10| per cent, on
the standard as from to-day. It will be noted that this
increase coincides with the increase which has been granted
through the Board of Conciliation in the North of England,
their result having been issued on Saturday evening, and
showing that the men in that area are entitled to a further
10 per cent, increase, making as much as 20 per cent, for
the year.

Within the next few days tin-platers will have to consider
the question of an additional war bonus, and this notwith-
standing the fact that when the bonus of last March was
granted it was declared that “ this will continue for a
period of three months after peace is declared.” The Tin-
plate Trade Conciliation Board has now been summoned to
a special meeting in order to consider an extension of the
grant that was then made—namely, bonuses varying from
Is. to 3s. per week to all employees earning £2 and less. It
is argued on behalf of the men that, notwithstanding the
hindrance to shipments, the condition of the trade is at
the present time fairly satisfactory, even to the extent of
re-opening certain works that have been idle. They contend
further that the circumstances of the times shown by the
heavy increase in the cost of food, etc., necessitate their
having higher -wages, and they contrast their earnings with
those of the colliers and others, as well as point out the
arduous nature of their employment. It is further argued on
their behalf that even in respect of coal, and notwithstanding
that they live in a colliery district, they are burdened with
very high prices. In this respect it has to be noted that
Swansea rates are from 35s. to 37s. per ton for house coal,
although coal can be obtained at the pit for about 10s. less ;
and the difference—'after allowing for haulage, bagging,
siding rent, etc., to a total of 6s.. 6d.—is, it is asserted, extra
profit to the retailers.