August 10th, 1910

Council Meeting held on Wednesday, August 10th 1910

Attendance.

Present Miss Emily Cox (Chair), Mr. A. A. Purcell, Mr. H.V. Herford, Mrs. Bamford Tomlinson, Mrs. F.M. Eddie, Mrs. O. M. Aldridge.

Apologies. Apologies for absence submitted from Mrs. Cooke, Mrs. J. J. Findlay and Miss Stapleton.  

Minutes. Minutes of the last meeting were read and passed.

Finance. The financial statement for the month was presented by the Treasurer.

Sub-Committee Minutes. The Sub-Committee Minutes were read.

Demonstration in Alexandra Park. It was reported that the arrangements for the Demonstration were well in hand. There were to be two platforms, with Miss Emily Cox and Mrs. Dickenson as chairmen. The principal speakers were to be Mr. J. E. Sutton M.P.,  Councillor Margaret Ashton and Miss Sara Reddish. Many of the Unions were providing bannerettes for the occasion. The Sub-Committee had ordered a banner for the Council, and a bannerette for the Homeworkers' Association. Mr. Herford moved and Mr. Purcell seconded a resolution approving the action of the Sub Committee.

Sheffield Leather Workers. The Secretary reported that as a result of the refusal of women at Messrs. Dewsnap and Company, to accept the proposed change from datal  to piece work, each of the women had received a month’s notice to terminate her engagement, with the option of re- engagement providing names were given in before the expiration of the present week. All had refused to do this, knowing it would mean unconditional surrender. The notices were to expire on Friday at noon August 12th. Two members of the Unions, one a cutter, and the other a forewoman with 23 years experience in the firm, had handed in their notices making it clear to the management that this was done to help the others. As the firm were advertising for workers the Union had inserted counter advertisements and had also put a statement of their case in the local press and had registered at the Labour Exchange.

Emergency Fund. It was moved by Mr. Purcell, seconded by Mrs. Eddie and carried that the sum of £15. 10 be guaranteed from the Emergency Fund, to cover a second week’s pay for the locked out women. It was also carried that a special meeting be called if necessary on Wednesday 17th.

Chainmakers Cradley Heath. Mr. Purcell moved and Mrs. Tomlinson seconded that the Secretary be instructed to secure particulars from the Chainmakers at Cradley Heath re the action of the employees in working overtime and making large quantities of stock before the new rates agreed upon by the Trades Board could be enforced. The Secretary was also asked to discover whether the Council could render any assistance to the women.

Secretary’s Holiday. It was agreed that the Secretary should take the month of September for her holiday.

Emily Cox
September 7th 1910.