The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-08-03 00:00:00

THE STRIKE IN THE NAIL TRADE.

On Monday commenced the third week of the strike
.n the wrought nail trade, and, with a very few excep.
ti3ns, the operatives are undergoing the greatest priva-
tion, but they are, nevertheless determined to resist the
prices recently issued by the employers, which show a
reduction in wages varying from 20 to 40 per cent
Prior to the new list of prices many of the principal em-
ployers were convinced by enforcing such terms they
would not be asking the operatives too much, but they
were compelled to reduce wages, owing to many of the
smaller employers selling their goods at extremely low
prices. The same employers are now anxious for the
operatives to resume work, and in some instances have
offered an advance of 10 and 15 per cent, in wages, but
the operatives have refused the offer, they contending
that the increase was not enough as compared with the
large reductions that have been enforced. Many of the
principal masters have also suggested the advisability of
a new list being drawn up, and that the smaller em-
ployers should be requested to comply with it, so that in
the event of all manufacturers doing so an end would be
pot to the underselling in the market, and also to many
of the disputes between employers and employed. We
understand that special efforts will be made for the for-
mation of a new list, and it is hoped that it will be
in accordance with the wishes of all parties concerned,
and so put an end to the misery which a strike causes
It the present time it is estimated that about thirty
thousand smilers are at "play." The horse-nail makers
are at work, but it is stated that they will shortly ask for
an advance in wages, owing to their not being able to get
a living at the present reduced wages.
A mass open-air meeting of the nailers now on strike
for an increase of wa2es in the Old Hill and Halesowen
district was held on Monday morning, at the Cross, Old
Hill.
Mr. Joseph Hackett was voted to the chair, and re-
marked that, what, ver the masters might say to the con-
trary, they had been the cause of the present strike.
The nailers had not caused it, for if the masters had
not interfered with their lists the strike would not have
occcurred, at any rate not until the trade had improved.
(Hear, hear.) He did not Ilame the masters altogether.
for he believed in a great measure it was the men's own
fault in taking the nails to the "joggers." and selling
them for just what price they would give. He con.
sidered the present strike was due principally to the un•
fair competition which had been going on for some time
amongst the masters.
Mr. John Price said that since 1868 the nailers had
been on strike at various times, altogether amounting to
twelve months, and yet the supply at the present time
was very much greater than the demand The masters
had not now large stocks of nails to fall back upon. He
knew that the extra prices had already been paid for
nails by masters, and some had actually paid for them at
the rate of the 1875 list. He believed that soon the
stocks would be exhausted, and then the masters would
concede the advance demanded by the workmen. He
cautioned them not to be deceived by an announcement
made in the-Birmingham Daily Mail on Saturday last,
to the effect that Messrs. Henry Shaw and Sons, iron
merchants and nail and chain manufacturers, Birming
ham, intended to pay an advance of 10 per cent. to their
workneople, on and after the 15th of August. He (Mr
Price) said they should net accept a 10 per cent. advance
because it won d leave a large portion of the men 321 per
cent. below the list they were now demanding. They
asked for no more, and they would take no less.
(Cheers.)
It was unanimously resolved to continue the strike
until the masters conceded their demands.
On Monday meetings were held at Halesewen and
lye Waste, and similar resolutions to those passed at
Old Hill were adopted.
A meeting of milers on strike was held in the Cattle
Market, Brompgrove, on Monday morning, when ad-
dresses were delivered by Mr. H. Crump, president of
the Nail Forgers' Association, and Mr. T. Crawford. It
was stated that no communicatioa had been received
from the masters here respecting their willingness to
give an advance or otherwise, but Mr. E._ Hadley and
Messrs. Shaw and Son had published their intention of
giving an advance of 10 per cent. upon present prices
in a fortnight's time. Nothing had been heard from
the up-country districts as to the result of the
memorial sent to the masters asking them for an
advance.
A resolution was passed to continue the strike, and
not to accept terms from individual masters, but to
remain 3 firm until all had agreed to give an advAice
together.
ANOTHER STRIKE OF CHAINMAKEES.
The chainmakers of Old Hilt and Cradle
Heath districts have determined on making an-
other effort to obtain a better price list, and are
sanguine that with better organisation they will
have more success than in their movement for the
same purpose a month or two ago. The trade has
been divided by the leaders into three branches.
one of which it is proposed shall "turn out" in
the event of a struggle, while the other two remain
at work; thus securing more support to those on
strike. The pike list has been revised, so that
the best chain will be paid for at the same rate as
the common sorts, instead of an advance being
conceded on the former, as was previously the
case. The" dollied " chainmakers have decided to
give notice this day (Saturday) for the 4s list, to
come into force from the 17th of the presen'
month.
A