The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-11-06 00:00:00

THE DBPUTE IN TdE CHAIN TRADE AT

CRA DLEY HEATH.

DECISION TO CEASE WORK AGAIN.

On alondaylevening, a mae held in the Salvation
Atmy Barracks, Crad:ey Heath, Rowley Regis.
Nearly two thousand persons were present. The
Chairman said they had that day entered upon the
thirteenth week of the strika, and the same had now
arrived when they should take some decisive action
with respect to the strike. Aa was well-known a
large number of the employers had conctded the
required advance. and a good number of the opera-
axes resumed work, but he regretted to state that
some of.these same emplope:'s hat upon getting the
operatives to work, enforced a reduction in wages—
("Shame"). This being a fact it was useless for
those who had been out on strike thirteen weeks to
roma n out any longer unless a general buike was
declared—(hear, hear). When they came out on
strike 13 weeks ago they were starving, and if they
allowed the employers to pay what wages they
pleased there would be plenty of work for the under
takere, for they would die by hundreds of starvation
—(hear, hear). It would be better for them to die
of starvation on their hearth stones th -tat the chain
blocks—(applause) Some of the employers hal
intimated that if the chainmakers would di,pense
with his(Mr. Honier's)services they would increase
the wages—(" We've confidence in you ''). He had
never attacked the employers, neither did he wish
to do so; but ;so long as be was connected with the
chainmakers he was determined to protect their
interests—(applause). The chainmakers were in a
deplorable state of poverty, and is was the duty. of
•
all right thinking men to endeavour ta extricate
them from their miserable positions—(hear. hear).
Whatever decision they arrived at that d ly he hoped
the operatives would abide by it—(shear, hear). It
was not only in the interest of the cha,inniakers that
better wages should be paid, but also that of the
tradesmen of the district—(hear, hear). Mr. IL
Juggins (secrAary to the Nut and Bolt Makers'
Association) urged that if the chaininakers had been
thoroughly united the employers would not have
advautage of them in the shameful way they had
done at various times. He was glad to announce
that the operatives connected with the Midland
Counties Trade Federation had contributed £lO for
the chainmakers' fund (applause), Mr. Neale
said p.ior to the strike a young woman could not
earn more than 4s. a week and a yoang man ss. a
week, and a married man, for making thirteen
bun lies of half-inch chain, 56 lbs to the bundle,
could not, after paying his expenses, earn mere than
4s. 61, per week—("lt is t:uo").—A Delegate sug-
gested that the whole ot the operatives should
give notice for a retutn to the 45. list.—The Chair-
man said if the chainmakcrs would only be united
they could secure the ss. list. He was convinced
if they did not cease work they would eventually
have to work for the is, 81. list.— Atte: a long dis-
cussion, it was unanimously resolve] to cease to-day
Saturday at the whole of the factories. This decisi. n
affects about 3,000 men and women.