Mexborough and Swinton Times July 26, 1929

Lightning Strike

Wages Dispute at Thrybergh Hall

Settlement Yesterday

A dispute arose this week at Thrybergh Hall Colliery, Kilnhurst, between the management and a dozen or so haulage hands working in the Parkgate seam. The youths claimed that they were not paid correct wages. Last Friday, they decided not to work, and the matter reached a head on Tuesday before the afternoon shift when the rest of the youths employed at the colliery, totalling about 200, decided to strike in sympathy.

This meant that the miners were unable to work and the “pulleys” were stopped. The local secretary of the Y.M.A., Mr. W. Hewitson, was holidaying at Blackpool, but was sent for, and he and other members of the Association met representatives of the management. Nothing could be settled on Tuesday, and the local Y.M.A. officials sought advice from headquarters on Wednesday. In the afternoon t conference between the men’s leaders and the colliery officials, including Mr. Charles Lloyd, one of the partners, was held on the premises. The conference lasted several hours, and afterwards Mr. Lloyd said to a “ Times” representative, ” It is all , over. We have come to an agreement over the money question and the pit will work to-morrow.” Asked whether it was only the difference between the lads and the management which had caused the stoppage, Mr. Lloyd said, “It was just that dozen lads on the haulage. They have stopped the pit, but fortunately it is settled.”

A mass meeting of the employees was held the same evening near the Nag’s Head, and Mr. Hewitson told the lads that they would receive the money due to them. There were several stormy interludes, old grievances were brought up, and finally the boys decided that they would not work until after to-day (Friday) when they received their wages. If the “back money” was included then they would work.

A further mass meeting was held yesterday, when it was announced that the management had offered to pay the disputed amount to the lads that morning. After over an hour’s discussion it was decided to re-start work last night, and the officials were instructed to meet the management during the coming week on several other grievances.