December 9th, 1914

Council Meeting held on Wednesday, December 9th at 3 pm

Members Present Miss Emily Cox in the chair, Mrs. Grierson, Miss Basnett, Miss Ashcroft, Mr. G. V. Cox, Mr. H.V. Herford, Councillor James Johnston.

Apologies. Apologies of absence were received from Mrs. Ernest Simon and Miss Margaret Ashton.

Mrs. C.J. Spence. A resolution of regret at the loss to the Committee by the sad death of Mrs. C.J. Spence was passed and the Chairman was desired to send a letter of condolence to Professor Weiss, her brother.

Minutes. The minutes were read and passed.

Finance. A financial report was given by the Treasurer.

Trades and Labour Council and the Funds of WTUC. Miss Cox reported having written Mr. Mellor Secretary of the Trades and Labour Council and he replied that at the delegate meeting it was decided to send out our circular of appeal to the whole of the branches affiliated and a covering letter from the Trades Council urging for support. He enclosed a grant of £2-2-0 from their funds.

Annual Meeting Speakers. The question of speakers for the annual meeting was discussed. It was decided to write to the Bishop of Lincoln and Miss Margaret Bondfield and Sir Charles Swann. Failing these the following names were suggested, Mr. R.H. Tawney, Mr. William Marsland, Mr. P.M. Oliver and the meeting to be held on February 9th 1915.

Mr. Watson. Mr. Herford proposed and Miss Basnett seconded that Mr. Watson be invited to become a member of the Council.

Sub Committee Minutes. Sub Committee minutes were read.

Leather Workers Strangeways. It was reported that an employer at a leather works in Strangeways has made application for women workers to the Women’s Employment Committee at the rate of 10/-per week from 7am in the morning till 6 in the evening. The Committee were not satisfied with the conditions of labour and had asked Miss Quaile to bring the matter before Mr. Geo. Fitt, who interviewed the manager and was shown the work required. He reported that the work was a French Government Contract over which we had no control excepting by Trade Union action. It was unskilled work and very common quality of materials used, if better material had been used in the same processes the women would be entitled to 9d per hour at the Trade Union rate. Miss Quaile reported that two women had been sent to work by the Women’s Employment Committee with the agreement that they work 2 hours per day less for the same rate of wages, this had become known by the other girls and the employer had been obliged to reduce the time of all accordingly.

Clothiers at Hyde and Newton Heath. C.W.S Lockout. It was reported that four meetings had been held for clothiers at Hyde and Newton Heath with an amount of success and that women doing Khaki work at the CWS Mantle Factory has been in dispute with the management over a price paid for a certain line of work. After negotiations going on for a week and the firm refusing the price the girls offered, the workers refused to do that particular line of work and the manager locked them out the following morning. Mr. Watson the Secretary of the Clothiers Union along with Miss Quaile had an interview with the manager at the works who agreed after discussion to pay the price offered by the girls. About 75 new members joined the Union making a total of 120 new members (including the Hyde branch) for the Clothiers Union.

Emily Cox  

January 13 1915