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Extract from
 “A History of the Scottish Miners from the earliest times" 
R Page Arnot 1955
Chapter 2
Child Labour and Chartism

The colliers, emancipated from legal bondage in 1799 found that as free men they were, together with other workers, subject to new suppressive laws… The combination acts passed in 1799-1800 forbade the workers to combine together to better their conditions of life. The 25 years of the combination laws made strike and trade unions a crime to be met by heavy penalty’s.  Nevertheless there were strikes and even in 1817 an underground colliers union… It was said to have existed all over Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, conducted openly and contended with the employers by strikes... The first union amongst Scottish miners after the repeal of the combination laws in 1824 was founded by operative colliers from twenty seven pits around Kilmarnock meeting on October 25th 1824. That same year 1400 Ayrshire miners were on strike for over two months. Though the union disappears after the strike, we can be sure from this time onwards, from the evidence of other coal fields that there were many strikes and these led to many short lived unions. Throughout the island local unions were spreading and combinations of these were springing up... Thus began the long struggle for democracy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special thanks to Keith Skakle in the rare books department of the National Library of Scotland.

 

AN ADDRESS TO THE COLLIERS OF AYRSHIRE

AT THE FORMATION OF THE COLLIERS ASSOCIATION IN 1824.

PRINTED AT KILMARNOCK IN 1824 BY H. CRAWFORD BOOKSELLER AND

NOW REPRINTED FOR DISTRIBUTION AMONG THE DELEGATES OF

THE AYRSHIRE MINERS UNION.

 

By the exertions of  a number of intelligent individuals, and the liberal policy of the present administration with regards to trading, upwards of thirty acts of Parliament, the remains of Gothic barbarism and feudal tyranny, known by the name of the Combination Laws, have been swept from the Statute Book. These laws, while they did not prevent the masters from regulating the wages of labour, published with great severity mechanics who were convicted of combining for a rise of wages. Under these circumstances, it is the opinion of a number of intelligent men, masters as well as others, that this is the proper time to check several abuses which have gradually crept into the trade; and that, at a meeting of the operative colliers, held in Kilmarnock upon Monday, the 25th October, 1824, twenty seven works being met, it was their opinion it would be highly expedient to associate for the general good of the trade, and that a committee be appointed to call the attention of all the colliers in Ayrshire, that some new regulations respecting the mode of taking in neutral men into their works be adopted. Were an association formed and strictly adhered to a number of abuses that are now in practice would soon be abolished : and it surely will not be considered either unjust or unreasonable to adopt measures of self-defence, when the trade of collier is considered as useful, and must be allowed a laborious avocation. Upon these grounds, therefore, we mean make out a few articles for our future guidance; but we admit that nothing but the united efforts of the general body will be sufficient to carry our articles into effect.

Thus far, brethren, have we done our duty by endeavoring to call your attention to some of the advantages which may be derived from a consolidated union, conducted upon moderate and rational principles. Should it be your opinion that it will be conducive to the general interest of the colliers and the coal trade to carry our association into effect in Ayrshire, let operative take an interest in the proceedings, let your committees be well attended ; appoint men of sound discretion to your committees ; and while you guard against very violation of the laws, show by your firmness and public spirit that nothing shall be wanting which prudence may dictate to advance the general interest of all.

But should this be coldly received by the colliers in Ayrshire and the meetings thinly attended, it is our opinion that the proceedings instantly terminate, as it would be ruin to drag a people into a business of this kind if it appears they feel no interest in their own advancement.

Article I

That its is highly expedient for the colliers of Ayrshire to associate for the general good of the trade.

Article II

They shall proceed as soon as possible to organize themselves by meeting and choosing a committee of management, with a president, treasurer and clerk who shall take up a list of all those who are willing to become associated members.

Article III

Every member upon entering the Association, shall pay twopence in name of entry money: and every operative collier may enter for twopence from this date until the 1st December, after which time any person that enters must pay one shilling as entry money beside what sum the other members have paid.

Article IV

That the general committee shall nominate one of their number to be President, to preside at all meetings. Any proposition brought before them cannot become law unless it has the sanction of two-thirds of the delegates present.

Article V

The committee shall make the choice of a person properly qualified to act as secretary, and who may continue in office as long the members may think is proper ; He is to be furnished with a book, wherein he will inscribe all minutes, ordinary and extraordinary. A Treasurer shall also be appointed, who shall retain what money may remain after accounts of the general committee are settled. and have a cash book and insert the receipts and disbursements thereof. It shall be the duty of the private committee to receive and communicate from time to time through the medium of their secretary, every information, respecting the different colliers in the county and how they are coming on. 

Article VI

Any operative collier, having a son wishing to go to the trade, at the age of 10 years, will be entitled to one-fourth of a mans work; at 13 years of age, to one-half; at 15 years to three-fourths: at 17 years, to full work; for the first term he shall pay One Shilling; for the second One Shilling and Sixpence; for the third , Two Shillings: and for the fourth, Three Shillings. Any person coming into the trade who is not a colliers son, must serve a regular term of Three years, and pay Five Pounds sterling Entry Money; One pound to be paid each year, the whole of the monies into the association, and to find security for the payment to the General Committee. He may be entitled to half a mans work at 16 years; and to three-quarters at 17 years; and, being clear, and all his money paid up, may have full liberty at 19 years of age. No neutral man above 20 years can engage to be a collier without paying Seven Pounds, and serving three years; first year. He may have liberty for Two Shillings a day.

Article VII

Any of the members of the Association leaving the work they may be at will get from the Grand Committee, a printed ticket, stating whether he is a clear member or not; and if not clear, to pay up his arrears to the said committee. If any one leaves his work of his own accord, he will pay on receiving his ticket Twopence, to be accounted for at the Grand committee meeting. But if any man is put away by his master, in that case, he pays nothing for his ticket.

Article VIII

Any man or work not agreeing or coming into a settlement with their masters upon just and reasonable terms, and thrown out of employment; in that case it will be the duty of the members of the Association to provide for such man, or men, until he, or they, fall into work, which is hoped will be as soon as can be obtained; but every man or work; disagreeing with their master, will be allowed ten to fourteen days to see if their masters and them can come to an agreeing, as it is hoped no advantage will be taken by either party; but in the case the master or masters remain obstinate fourteen days, at the end of the first eight days the individuals in question will apply unto the Secretary and Treasurer who will be empowered to give them funds out of the Association and the General committee to have power to call upon on all the members of the Association to contribute towards their support; but it is hoped no money will ever be given away except upon just and reasonable terms. The support allowed to men out of work as herein mentioned will not exceed Seven Shillings per week, to be paid at the end of the first week.

Article IX

The general interest of the Association shall be placed under the superintendence of a General Committee, said committee to be composed of delegates from the different coal works connected, and to meet as often as the circumstances of the case may require. All Delegate to be paid by their own works for their trouble and expense; only the President, Treasurer, and the Clerk to be paid by the whole body. The Delegates to remain in office six months, but at the end of that time he may be re-elected or not.

Article X

Any master, or masters, not redressing grievances of their men, as far as moderation and and justice will allow; it is to be understood that the colliers are to make no unreasonable demands upon their masters; and in case the master or masters, will not comply, on juts grounds, the men in such masters employ will be at liberty to leave his work and look out for themselves; and all the colliers in this Association not to supply this master or masters, place; but do all they can to get them employment elsewhere.

Article XI

Is it not evident that there are masters in the coal trade who are constantly running a race in the deduction of wages , and are never satisfied unless they are paying below their neighbours and by forcing the measure far above the common standard, to find a sale, and outsell their neighbour colliers? This is a case that require immediate attention, and it becomes the duty of the Association to point out such masters: and after being duly warned, if they continue in such a career, so hurtful to the trade in general, then it will be our duty to try every way that prudence may dictate to put them out of the trade.

Article XII

Any operative collier, leaving one work and going into another, will pay as Entry Money, Two Shillings; to be paid at two instalments. The Delegate belonging to the work the man or men, comes into will receive the said two shillings for each man coming into the different works ; and the the first meeting of Delegates he will give such as he, or they may have received from time to time, into the general committee, and to be placed in their accounts. The one half of all fines to be paid in the same manner, the other half at the disposal of the men belonging to the the work where the fines were levied.

Article XIII

These article may be altered, or amended, at any meetings of the delegates; and whatever is sanctioned by two-thirds of the Delegates present will be final. The power of levying money from the member of the Association must be left to the General Committee; and when the President sees need he can call a meeting of all the Delegates by ordering the Clerk to send them notice, four days at least before the appointed time of meeting, except in extraordinary cases. All laws passed by meetings of Delegate will be binding upon all whom he or they represent. 

Article XIV

As Colliers are more subject to misfortune and accidents than in almost any other classes in the community, in case an operative colliers should lose his life while following his lawful calling and leave a widow, to whom he was regularly married, shall be entitled to One Pound from the Association, provided that such person be a clear member. The widow must apply either by letter, or in person, producing a certificate signed by the master and men of work wherein such man happened to be.

Article XV

After the articles have got the approval of the Delegates, if not these, other ones, then it will be advisable to see whether they may be printed, and every member served with a copy of them, for payment or not. Accordingly as the meeting of Delegates may decide, article may be added, or some that are in put out. 

Article XVI

Any man that has been a collier leaving the coal pit to follow some other employment, and returns again to the coal work as a working collier, in hopes to make it better; in this case, if he returns to any work, he pays for the first Three Months away, Five Shillings, for Six Months, Ten Shillings, and for One Year One Pound. He pays his entry and other dues beside.

 

Jim Phillips

Senior Lecturer, Economic and Social History, University of Glasgow

The 1824 Address to the Colliers of Ayrshire, outlining the formation of a trade union of mineworkers, the Colliers’ Association, is a highly significant document. It illuminates the determination of Ayrshire miners to place limits on the powers and privileges of the coal masters in early industrial Scotland. The Address built upon the hard-won repeal of the class-vindictive Combination Acts, which had outlawed trade union organisation. The Ayrshire miners now asserted their right to control entry to employment in the industry, and in so doing stabilise wage levels and earnings, which the masters would otherwise drive down by recruiting more compliant labour. The Colliers’ Association would further restrain the power of the masters by providing strike pay to members engaged in disputes with their employers. This would strengthen the capacity of miners to resist wage cutting and other forms of aggressive employer behaviour. The Association in these ways was radical and ambitious, applying apparent brakes to the application of free market principles in the industry. But it was also in sympathy with early trade unionism’s conciliatory approach, emphasising the reasonable and moderate nature of worker demands. The Association articulates in this document too a determined collective form of worker self-reliance, noting the dangers and casualties of the trade, and the need for miners themselves to provide for the dependants of those injured or killed. This indicates the presence in Ayrshire coal mining of a further important general feature of early trade unionism, the self-conscious independence – from employer control – of skilled working men. So the document shows that the divergent strands of twentieth century coal industry trade unionism, militant ambition and cautious self-restraint, which were evident as recently as the great strike of 1984-5, had deep historical roots.