The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-05-07 00:00:00

THE STRIKE IN THE CHAIN TRADE AT
CRADLEY HEATH.

On Monday morning a mass meeting of chain-
makers on strike was held in the Salvation Army
Barracks, Cradley Heath. The building was
densely crowded, upwards of 2,000 being present,
and at least a similar number were unable to gain
admittance.

Mr, T. Homer presided, and stated that when the
war was commenced nine months since some of the
employers said the operatives "would speedily rua
in ; ' but they had not run in, and further they were
determined not to resume work until they had
obtained the price they had given notice—(hear,
hear). They would insist upon having the 4s list oh
prices, and no employer would be allowed to have
his workmen unless he would pay the 4s list. There
were a section of employers who had been tyrants
towards the men, and as far as he was concerned
he would not sanction the workmen going to work
at their factories for at least twelve months—(hear,
hear). The employers he had referred to ought to
be made to make the chains themselves, for they
would never pay the operatives the waists they were
entitled to—(" That is true"). Some of the em-
ployers had stated th y (the operatives) were driv•
ing the trade out of the country—(" It's all bosh").
It was all bosh—(hear, hear) In the past, as was
well known, the operatives had been re !u, ed to
starvation, and if better prices could not be obtaincd
than when they came out on strike no harm wou:d
be done in the trade I.& g driveu from the dist ri t
—(hear, hear). He however, had no hesitation in
saying that the trade was not being driven out of
the district through the aoticn of the chain makers.
On the other hand, merchants and others were of
opinion that the demand for increased wag, s was
the right thing, for trade was not likely to revive
when underselling was taking place to an alarming
extent and no person could te:l what the prices
really were—(hear, hear). If the employers again
enforced a reduction in wages he should kieem it his
duty to again call the workmae ou ou at ite, and to
ask for the 4s 6d list, and if neces.sary the 5s 6:1 list
of prices—(applause).
Mr, Jugging, general secrJary to the Nut tied
Bolt Makers' Association, said that he had for ante
time been advocating the cause of tile ehtinmakers
in various parts of the count! y, and he w.4s glad to
say a hearty response had been made to his app •als
—(applause). The Boot and Shoe eakeis' Associa-
tion at Liverpool had given Lin .Clo—(h a ,li sr)
—he had received £2l 186 6d from th eoitor of the
Liverpool Mercury, and .4130 from fiends at Liver-
pool—(applause) Arrangements wcre beieg made
to obtain funds from other towns in Lanc .shire, and
now that the grievances of the chainin,k, 0- %%en
well known he had no doubt further suppoit w,uld
be given, He afterwards proceed dto dis uss at.
length the grievances of the chlitimakers in the
South Staftordshire district, and said the time had
arrived when many of their gievances shoul I be
brought under the direct notice of the House of
Commons—(applause). They had been sulj et • i
to great tyranny, and if they would ouly 1.). a un.t
people by joining the trade societies they waul I be
enabled to successfully protest against the action of
any employer who did his employes an injustice—
(hear, hear).
It was resolved to continue the strike at all
factories where the employers reused to conc!de
the 4s list of prices. _

Another meeting wa3 held on Wednes 'ay aftel.--
noon. Mr. Homer presided, and announced th:it
he had received £lO from friends at Warrirgton
It was resolved to continue the etrilie at the
factores where the employers refu,e to p.sy the 4i
list of prices.