FORMATION OF JOINT COMMITTEE
It will be interesting to give this important step in detail. It was first mentioned in connection with certain meetings which were held mainly on the wages question or the abolition of the yearly bond. While discussing these matters Mr Crawford, on behalf of the deputation, mentioned the advisability of forming a committee of six on either side to consider local disputes and changes in wages. The first formal action taken by the employers was on July 12th, 1872, when the following resolution was adopted at their meeting:—
Joint Committee.—Mr Crawford was also informed that on the motion of Mr Lindsay Wood, seconded by Mr Hunter, a Committee consisting of the following gentlemen:—Hugh Taylor, W. Stobart, W. Hunter, C. Berkley, R. F. Matthews and Lindsay Wood had been appointed to meet a Committee from the Miners' Union, to draw up rules for guiding the Association in receiving demands from the workmen.
It was arranged with Mr Crawford, that the Committee from the Miners' Union should meet the above-formed Committee at 10.30 on Friday, the 19th inst.
The suggested meeting was held on 19th July, when the following recommendation was agreed to:—
Joint Committee.—It was agreed to recommend—That six members of each Association should meet every fortnight and discuss all demands except cases of consideration in temporary bad places, the consideration to be given in such places to be settled from fortnight to fortnight by the agents of the collieries affected. All demands to come through Mr Crawford, who is to give the agents of the colliery and the Secretary of this Association, at least three clear days' notice of the nature of the demands that it is intended to prefer at the next meeting.
As a result of this recommendation a meeting was held on the 2nd of August, and the first code of rules was arranged. The names of the parties at the meeting are in the following list:—
| Owners | Workmen |
|---|---|
| Hugh Taylor. | W. Crawford. |
| W. Stobart. | W. H. Patterson. |
| Lindsay Wood. | N. Wilkinson. |
| John Taylor. | J. Jackson. |
| J. B. Simpson. | J. Forman. |
| C. Berkley. | T. Mitcheson. |
| P. Cooper. | |
| W. Hunter. | |
| R. F. Matthews. | |
| T. T. Smith. |
R. B. Sanderson occupied the chair. The following rules were agreed to:—
The object of the Committee shall be to arbitrate, appoint arbitrators, or otherwise settle all questions (except such as may be termed county questions or questions affecting the general trade) relating to matters of wages, practices or working, or any other subject which may arise from time to time at any particular colliery, and which shall be referred to the consideration of the Committee by the parties concerned. The Committee shall have full power to settle all disputes, and their decision shall be final and binding upon all parties in such manner as the Committee may direct.
The Committee shall consist of six representatives chosen by the Miners' Union and six representatives chosen by the Coal Owners' Association.
At meetings of this Committee it shall be deemed that there shall be no quorum unless at least three members of each Association be present.
Each meeting shall nominate its own chairman, who shall have no casting vote. In case of equality of votes upon any question, it shall be referred to two arbitrators, one to be chosen by the members of each Association present at the meeting. These arbitrators to appoint an umpire in the usual way.
Each party to pay its own expenses. The expenses of the umpire to be borne equally by the two Associations.
Should any alteration of or addition to these rules be desired, notice of such change shall be given at the meeting previous to its discussion.
If any member of the Committee is directly interested in any question under discussion, he shall abstain from voting, and a member of the opposite party shall also abstain from voting.
When any subject is to be considered by the Committee, the Secretary of the Association by whom it is brought forward shall give notice thereof to the Secretary of the other Association, at least three clear days before the meeting at which it is to be considered.
The Committee to meet every alternate Friday at half-past eleven o'clock.
The first meeting of Joint Committee was held on 16th August. The members were: