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The Great Black Country Trades Strike, 1913
On May 9th 1913 about 200 employees of Messrs. John Russell & Co. Ltd., Old Patent Tube Works, Wednesbury ceased work without giving notice, and demanded increased wages. This is the commencement of a great labour upheaval, involving all trades in all parts of the Black Country, and lasting for two months. The Midland Employers’ Federation was constituted during the progress of the strike, with the main object of securing and maintaining industrial peace.
May 31st: Upwards of 25,000 men now out on strike throughout the Black Country.
June 1st: Mass meeting of strikers in Wednesbury Market Place: addresses by Mr Charles Duncan, MP, Miss Julia Varley, and others.
June 4th: At the annual meeting of the Metropolitan Wagon Company, Mr Dudley Docker refers to ‘the new diplomacy of trades unionism,’ which has resulted in a strike ‘instituted without rhyme or reason, in defiance of agreements, forced on by gross intimidation, the beginning of a reign of terror.’
June 6th: In view of the distress among women and children, caused by the strike, the Mayor (Alderman Pritchard) opens a relief fund.
June 7th: Borough Member contributes £25 to the fund of the men’s strike committee, and is raising the question of the strike in various forms in the House of Commons, with the view to the relief of the distress, and the ending of the trouble.
June 10th: Tom Mann addresses a meeting of strikers in the Market Place: fierce attack upon the capitalist class.” June 21st: “Representatives of employers and men have been in conference during the week: many proposals for settlement discussed, but no agreement.
June 27th: Men on strike reject terms of settlement offered by Midland Employers' Federation. Fetching out of employees in the nut and bolt trade at King’s Hill and Darlaston, accompanied by much rowdyism.” June 28th: “All works trips abandoned owing to the strike.
June 29th: Strikers visit Wednesbury Parish Church.
July 1st: “Strikers fined for assaults on the police: fines paid by Trades Council president.
July 2nd: Board of Trade send down
July 3rd: Tom Mann again visits Wednesbury.
July 11th: Strikers ballot on the subject of an agreement reached at a joint conference between the representatives of masters and men, under the presidency of Sir George Askwith, and decide by a large majority to accept the terms.
Advantages gained on behalf of unskilled workers include a 23s.minimum wage, standardisation of rates for youths and girls, and recognition of the Unions.