September 13th, 1911

Council Meeting held on Wednesday, September 13th 1911 at 7.00 pm.

Attendance.

Present Miss Emily Cox (chair), Councillor Margaret Ashton, Mrs. J. J. Findlay, Miss Palmer (Rubber Workers), Miss Milne (Typists), Miss F. Ashcroft, Miss L. Stapleton, Rev. C. T Campion, Mr. H. V. Herford, Mr. Ricketts, Mr. Graeme Cox, Miss F. Guffick, Miss Mary Quaile, Mrs. O. M. Aldridge.

Apologies. An apology for absence received from Mrs. F. E. Ashwell Cooke.

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

Finance. The month’s financial statement was presented by the Treasurer.

Emergency Fund. Councillor Margaret Ashton proposed and Mrs. J. J. Findlay seconded that the Chairman and Treasurer be empowered to sanction the expenditure of a sum not exceeding £5 from the Emergency Fund in case of need without calling a Special Council Meeting. Carried unanimously.

The minutes of the Organisation Sub-Committee were read.

Shipping Minimum Conceded by Messrs. Booth and Co. It was reported that Messrs. Booth & Co. controlling seven packing warehouses in Manchester had followed the action of Lloyd’s Syndicate and conceded demands of the women in the shipping industry for the payment of the standard rate of wages.

Flax Mill Dispute at Broughton. It was reported that a dispute had occurred at the Broughton Flax Mill, nine labourers had asked for a minimum wage of 20/-per week. This demand was refused and they struck work. As much open sympathy was shown by the other workers, the management three days later on closed the entire mill and about 600 women and 50 men were locked out. A notice on the gate said, “that owing to the difficulty of getting coals wheeled to the boiler fires the mill would be closed till further notice.” The Council on hearing of the lockout at once took steps to help the workers, meetings were held and a Flax Workers’ Union formed. As wages were very low it was decided to ask for an all round advance before any one returned to work. The request sent to Messrs. Renshaw was for, (1st) the abolition of the bonus system, in future, amount now paid as bonus to be reckoned as wages, (2nd) an advance all round on these wages of 2/-weekly.

The Secretaries of the Council and of the Workers’ Union (who were looking after the interest of the general labourers) interviewed Messrs. Renshaw on 29th of August but no concessions were obtained. A day later the Mayor of Salford (Mr. Alderman Philips) interviewed and after many conferences at the Salford Town Hall the following terms of settlement were agreed upon.( See scanned document entitled “Broughton Flax Mill.” )

Relief Fund. A relief fund was raised by the Council for the locked out workers.

Emily Cox October 11th 1911