Dispute at Collieries
7th February, 1870Thorncliffe
On Saturday afternoon a deputation of the late workmen, accompanied by Mr. Moore, the Mayor of Sheffield, had an interview by appointment with Lord Wharncliffe and Mr. W. S. Stanhope, at Wortley Hall, with a view to bringing the dispute which has led to the recent riots to a termination.
The Mayor of Sheffield introduced the deputation, the members of which were courteously received in the Billiard Room. Mr. Moore commenced the proceedings by giving in detail the origin of the dispute, and the steps which had been taken by the employers and the workmen since its occurrence. After the men had been out for 33 weeks, he said, they waited upon their employers; but as they were unable to come to terms, they determined to ask his Lordship and Mr. Stanhope to act on their behalf with the view of bringing the dispute to an amicable termination. A lengthy discussion ensued, as several points were raised, among others the position which the non-unionists would occupy in the event of the old hands returning to work, the feeling on the part of the latter being that the former should leave. Ultimately, however, this was waived. On the part of the men it was urged that the rate of wages should be defined, and a statement of the prices to be paid drawn up; that only 20 cwt. to the ton, instead of 21, as hitherto, should be the rule, and that the wages should be paid weekly. The Mayor and the deputation then retired to consider the matters brought under notice by Lord Wharncliffe and Mr. Stanhope.
After an absence of about an hour the deputation returned to Wortley Hall, when it was stated that, having considered the suggestions made, on the part of the men, they would agree to work with the non-unionists. Some of the men forming the deputation hoped that Messrs. Newton and Co. would consider the hardship under which they were placed by being turned out of their former working place, and that if they returned to work they would be placed in as good positions as they occupied before the dispute arose. They were willing, therefore, to refer the matters in dispute to Lord Wharncliffe and Mr. Stanhope, so far as they were concerned, Mr. Stanhope then enforced on the deputation the necessity of their doing all they could to preserve the peace on the hearing of the charges against the rioters, for any breach of the peace interfering with the due and impartial administration of justice would be put down, and would be anything other than advantageous to those in custody. Mr. Perkin said the executive of the Miners' Union had forwarded a minute to each lodge to that effect.
The deputation then withdrew, and Lord Wharncliffe and Mr. Stanhope at once proceeded to Chapeltown, where they had an interview with the members of the firm of Newton, Chambers, and Co., when the latter agreed to meet a deputation of the men, on the understanding that they would act independent of Union influence. It was also suggested that by a Board of Arbitration, consisting of masters and workmen, an amicable arrangement might be come to. The basis for discussion on the part of the men is now confined to the following:
- Former prices to be paid for all kinds of work
- Complaints, where not otherwise arranged, to be heard by a deputation to the owners
- The old hands to be placed in their former places as soon as convenient
- Weekly payments, as before
- 20 cwt. to the ton to be given instead of 21.
It was arranged that another meeting should be held on Thursday next at Wortley, when it is expected that a settlement will be come to, as the firm have expressed their readiness to meet to meet a committee of workmen.
On Saturday morning two more arrests were made at Denaby Main, near Mexborough, the prisoners being John Dyson, and John Nash, both of whom are known to have taken part in the late riot.
On Sunday afternoon a considerable body of the military arrived in Barnsley, so that, with the large reserve of police in the town, there will be a force sufficient to quell any riot or attempt at rescue.
Tinsley Park Colliery Dispute
This dispute, which has lasted upwards of a year, has at last been brought to a settlement.
The miners employed at this colliery struck work because they failed to obtain redress for what they considered were grievances which ought to be remedied. Since then the colliery has been partially worked by non-unionists, to whom many of the points demanded by the unionists have been conceded, and the unionists have consented to return to their work on the same conditions as those under which the non-unionists are working.
A large number of those who came out on strike will resume work this morning, and the rest will be provided for soon as possible. The settlement of this dispute will, it is expected, have an influence upon the unfortunate dispute at Thorncliffe, arrangements having already been made for an interview between some of the miners and members of the Thorncliffe Company
