The 1913 China Clay Strike in Cornwall

The 1913 China Clay Strike 

The story of Cornwall’s most turbulent industrial dispute

Nigel Costley 

£4.95 from http://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/shop/product.php?productid=17673

The South West TUC regional secretary Nigel Costley has written a fascinating pamphlet on a successful strike that helped established trade unions in mid Cornwall and laid the ground for Unite’s continuing presence there today. 

One hundred years ago this summer there occurred one of the most important industrial disputes ever in Cornwall. 5,000 china clay workers defied their employers, poverty and the South Wales police, who were sent to attack them, to strike for ten weeks. There actions paved the way for better pay and union recognition that continues today at Imerys UK china clay operations, where Unite speaks out for its members at one of the most important employers in the South West.

The china clay industry was one of many developed across Britain during the early years of the industrial revolution. Based in Cornwall and Devon, production was approaching in 1910 a million tonnes a year, 75% of which was exported to the North American and European paper industries with a smaller amount going to UK pottery factories. 

It was better-paid employment than agricultural work but below that enjoyed by coal and tin miners. The hours were long and the work was highly physical, especially for the workers who dug the top layers of soil to get at the good clay.

Disputes in 1875 and 1876 had restored wage cuts but a five-week strike by 2,000 workers was lost after Cornish miners reputation as strike breakers in other parts of the country resulted in little outside aid being raised. Starving workers were forced back to work and mass emigration took miners all around the world to work in the following decades.

In 1911 clay workers in Cornwall began to be recruited by the Workers’ Union, which was formed in 1898 by one of the heroes of the great London dock strike of 1889, Tom Mann.

In December 1912 a 2,500 strong petition was presented to the small number of clay employers that dominated the industry asking for an increase of 5 shillings (25 pence today) a week to take pay up to 25 shillings. (£1.25) 

Flying pickets

When this was rejected local organisers were given the powers to call a strike and on Monday 21 July 1913 thirty men at Carne Stents near St Austell walked off the job and immediately appealed to workers at other pits to join them in solidarity. By the following week 1,000 were on strike and numbers continued to grow as strikers sent pickets from pit to pit. 

With the aid of Julie Varley, sent by the union to support the families of the strikers, large demonstrations were held and the numbers on strike had risen to almost 5,000 in the second week of August. The union was able to pay 10 shillings (50 p) a week strike pay and local tradesman distributed food vouchers. 

Vicious police attacks 

The employers hit back when following a meeting with the police a contingent of 100 from South Wales were drafted in to support the local force. South Wales police had experience of breaking picket lines and strikers were informed that ‘unlawful assemblies’ were to be much more rigorously enforced. 

When pickets formed up 300 strong on 1 September 1913 they were met by a detachment of Glamorgan police who baton charged the crowd hitting anyone that got in their way. Strikers were chased into nearby fields and further brutalised. There was widespread indignation throughout the whole area at the violence with the local Cornish Guardian condemning the police, with shops refusing to serve them and landladies evicting them. The TUC sent its deepest regret to those who had been attacked.

By October the long strike was sapping even the most militant worker and on the 12^th it was agreed to return to work rather than prolong the suffering. The strikers marched back to work with their heads held high and aware that many more workers had joined the union and been educated in the need for organisation. 

Union recognition and better pay

Despite having failed to win their demands, confidence in the union remained high and on January 12 1914 the largest clay company agreed to recognise the union. Then in February wage increases, that brought pay up to a minimum of 22s 6d (£1.13) with additions for clay working, established pay rates roughly that which the workers had taken action for the previous year. Other clay firms had little option but to follow suit and the workers had won what they had asked for.

The Workers’ Union was to continue to represent clay workers until it merged in 1929 with the Transport and General Workers’ Union, which itself merged with AMICUS in 2007 to form Unite. Britain’s largest union continues to represent workers in the clay industry that are employed in Cornwall by Imerys, a world leader in mining natural resources and which employs around 1,000 people in the county.

Ministers change for the meter has campaigners smarting.

Ministers change for the meter has campaigners smarting. 

A group that seeks to reverse the UK’s smart meter programme on health grounds has accused the government of reneging on commitments that their nationwide installation will be voluntary.

A smart meter, which can only be installed in the UK’s 30 million households by energy companies, regularly records consumption of gas and electricity. It then transmits that information back to the companies for monitoring and billing purposes

The massive project, which will cost consumers a total of around £11 billion on their bills, is considered vital in attempts to cut energy use.

Switching suppliers

The hope is that customers will shift energy use to periods when they are charged less and turn off appliances. The government estimates the average customer will save £23 a year by 2020.

According to energy secretary Ed Davey: “Smart meters will put customers in control, allowing them to adopt energy efficiency measures that can help save money on their bills, offset price increases and reduce carbon emissions.”

Ministers have promised the scheme will be voluntary but Davey’s undersecretary, Baroness Verma, recently told the Lords that customers switching energy suppliers “cannot replace a smart meter with a dumb meter”.

With five million people switching energy suppliers each year, Elizabeth Evans, one of the founders of campaigning group Stop Smart Meters, said: “This is a sneaky way of trying to bring in mandatory smart metering by default and we strongly oppose this move. Customers should have the choice of an analogue alternative to a smart meter.”

Evans fears that the radio- frequency levels of radiation employed to keep smart meters running constantly will be toohigh. Her group estimates the devices pulse 43,000 times a day.

Evans claims that in the US, Canada and Australia, where smart meters are already widely employed, “thousands of people are complaining of debilitating symptoms such as severe insomnia, sometimes to the point where they can no longer live in their house or neighbourhood”. The American Academy for Environmental Medicine has become so concerned that last year it called for a moratorium on new installations until more research could be undertaken.

Radiation

Evans believes installing smart meters would mean ignoring “emerging evidence that radio- frequency radiation (RF) is dangerous to users of mobile phones, as we have already seen a dramatic 50 per cent rise in frontal and temporal brain tumours from 1999 to 2009”.

She added: “Countries all around the world are reporting large rises in thyroid and salivary gland tumours where mobile phone radiation is highest.”

In May 2011, the World Health Organisation said RF radiation is a “possible human carcinogen”.

The former Director at the New York State Department of Health Dr David O Carpenter has said: “there is evidence that exposure to RF at elevated levels increases the risk of cancer and damage to the nervous system.”

The Department of Energy and Climate Change disagrees with Evans. A DECC pokesperson said: “The proposals by the Baroness are about ensuring customers continue to receive more accurate bills when they switch suppliers. 

‘No risk’

“The radio waves used by smart meters are very common in the environment and are used in radio and tv broadcasts, radar and cordless phones. The Health Protection Agency has advised us that the evidence to date suggests they do not pose a risk to health.”

Others who believe smart meters do not damage health include Dr John Swanson of the Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group and Dr Jill Meara of Public Health England, both of who recently gave evidence alongside Evans to the Energy and Climate Change Committee that is examining concerns being raised by the smart meter roll-out.

Will the government act on advisers' pesticide recommendations?

No decision has been taken by the government on its scientific advisers’ recommendations to tighten public health laws on crop spraying with pesticides.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ministers requested a policy review four years ago after campaigner Georgina Downs mounted a legal challenge against the government.

She has battled for 12 years against what she argues is a “policy and approvals system that fundamentally fails to protect people in the countryside from pesticides, particularly rural residents”.

Her struggle started after she was regularly exposed to pesticides sprayed in crop fields adjoining her Sussex home. She has since advised thousands of people in rural areas who are also suffering adverse health following exposure to crop pesticides.

The new recommendations from the advisory committee on pesticides (ACP) include that farmers give residents notification before spraying commences and give information on pesticides used.

The current risk assessment under the existing policy assumes people only have occasional exposure to a single pesticide for a brief time.

Downs has always disputed this. “Exposure for rural residents is long-term, chronic, cumulative, and is due to many mixtures of pesticides used on crops,” she said.

Currently it is also assumed that an individual would not be any closer than eight metres from a crop sprayer. The ACP has now recommended that a distance of two metres should be assumed between the sprayer and a resident or bystander in acute and chronic risk assessments.

Although pleased to see an acknowledgement that the existing policy approach has been inadequate, Downs said: “The ACP should have recommended prohibiting crop spraying and the use of pesticides near residents’ homes, schools, children’s playgrounds, etc.

“There has been no UK assessment to date of the risks to health for residents and others exposed over the long term. Therefore under EU law pesticides should never have been approved in the first place for spraying in the locality of such areas.”

The National Farmers Union (NFU) supports the use of pesticides. Don Prendegast, its plant health adviser, said: “I believe the government would support voluntary approaches to providing information such as the Good Neighbour Initiative, developed by the NFU.

“Mandatory prior notification would be difficult to implement effectively, extremely complex and burdensome for farmers.”

A spokesperson for DEFRA said: “Ministers will be responding soon to the recommendations.”

EDUCATE, AGITATE, ORGANISE.

EDUCATE, AGITATE, ORGANISE.

 

The grand opening of a Unite/National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) community centre in Barnsley last Friday was marked with a big turnout and glorious weather. However, grim times ahead meant the celebrations were muted as plenty of Barnsley folk are going to require the welfare advice services it will provide.

 

The NUM has provided the building and Unite the staff, courtesy of community volunteer activists, including life-long trade unionist and retired professional benefits adviser Richard Vivian who said: “I am happy to help local people and Unite in these difficult times. We are already receiving referrals from advice organisations locally.”

 

Centre users will also be able to access the Unite Learn computer training courses, starting from online basics through to ICT level 3. Professional advice will provide valuable back up. Unite’s mobile learning units are additionally looking to offer community groups literacy and numeracy courses.

 

By reconnecting the community with trade unions the centre will also give users a chance to collectively resist government attacks on such as the NHS, as well as welfare benefits cuts that include the bedroom tax and DLA. “How to build a campaign, design publicity, speak publicly and media work are part of our community activist training aimed at building solidarity between those in and out of work,” said Joe Rollin, Unite’s community coordinator for the north east.

 

NUM Headquarters, 2 Huddersfield Road, Barnsley S70 2LS

Opening times: 10am to 3pm Wednesdays and Thursdays  

Book of the month launched by Unite education department

It was great to see the launch today of a new service I have worked on for Unite members. 

A good read for Unite members

Tutors on Unite education courses often get asked what books they would recommend reading. As a result we have decided to  launch a book - or books - of the month service for Unite members. The subjects chosen will be very varied and will include politics, sport, social and labour history and economics. There will be a review of each book and details of how readers can obtain copies.

Unite education is also going to be publishing some of its own books on famous figures and successful struggles from the union’s past including Jack Jones, Tom Jones, the birth of the NHS and the dock strikes of 1889 and 1972.

Unite members who would like to see a particular book reviewed - or would like to do a review - should get in touch. If you are a Unite member who has had a book published please also get in touch.

More details from author and journalist Mark Metcalf on 07952 801783 or at  mark.metcalf@rocketmail.com

http://www.unitetheunion.org/growing-our-union/education/bookofthemonth/

Frank Swift flies high in new book about top goalie - Blackpool Gazette

Blackpool Gazette


Below are comments from Halifax Courier of 24 July 2013.

England has produced a string of fine goalkeepers over the years - Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton and David Seaman arguably the most notable.

However, Calderdale author Mark Metcalf has turned the spotlight on a true legend of the game during the 1930s and 40s.

Frank Swift played all his league football with Manchester City and represented England on 33 occasions between 1941 and 1949.

Prolific sports writer Metcalf has chronicled the life and career of this popular figure who went onto become a respected  journalist with the News of the World before becoming one of eight journalists who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster in February 1958.

Metcalf charts Swift’s humble beginnings in Blackpool, and the start of his football career with Fleetwood Town Reserves to his glory years at Maine Road where he helped City to First and Second Division titles as well as victories in the FA Cup and Charity Shield.

Drawing on a number of sources, Metcalf tells Swift’s remarkable story in meticulous detail. The book also chronicles Swift’s record as an England international from his debut during the war years and the moment he was appointed the first ‘keeper to captain his country in the professional era during a 4-0 win over Italy in Turin in 1948.

Metcalf’s research paints a vivid picture of a well-loved character both on and off the field, and the shock of his untimely death on that fateful night in Munich.

Running to 185 pages, ‘Frank Swift - Manchester City and England Legend’ is a welcome addition to the library of footballing greats of the past.

The book contains a small selection of photographs - both personal and professional - and would be a welcome addition to the bookshelves of any true football fans.

in 1998 Frank Swift was one of four City players named in the  Football League 100 legends list, celebrating a century of league football.

Metcalf has done his career and his memory proud.

‘Frank Swift - Manchester City and England Legend’ by Mark Metcalf is published by DB Publishing and priced at £14.99.

Shame of the Lib Dem Lords

From the Landworker magazine of Unite. 

Liberal Democrat peers have blown an opportunity to show they support rural workers by agreeing to scrap the Agricultural Wages Board. (AWB) 

Fifty-five of them had the power on Wednesday March 6 in the House of Lords to defeat government plans to finish off the AWB. They refused to exercise it and consequently a vote to retain the AWB was lost by 29 votes, with peers voting 163 to 192. Only one Lib Dem peer voted for retention with all the rest voting with the Tories. 

The result means the fight to retain the AWB will move back to the Commons; where it is hoped  MPs will take note that almost 2/3rds of respondents to a government consultation were against its abolition.

On March 6 there were impassioned pleas from Labour Lords, bishops and the Lib Dem peer, Lord Greaves of Pendle. Labour peer, Lord Whitty pointed out that for most the last century the AWB has ensured that farm workers have received annual pay rises, recognition for advancing their skills, overtime pay, holidays and protection in their tied homes. Under their plans the government was admitting it expected the 150,000 agricultural workers covered by the AWB to be robbed of £247 million in the next decade. Lord Greaves argued the only beneficiaries were likely to be the major supermarkets, horticultural giants and major landowners.

The Lord Bishop of Hereford quoted Winston Churchill from 1909, when a radical Liberal government founded the first wages councils, and Churchill said: “It is a serious national evil that any class of his Majesty’s subjects should receive less than a living wage in return for their utmost exertions” 

The Bishop pointed out: “When other wages councils were abolished in the 1980s, the government chose to keep the AWB on the grounds that the industry required some central oversight to prevent wages being driven down unacceptably……the progress made during the past 30 years means we need to retain and further develop, and update, the AWB, not abolish it.”

None of which mattered to Nick Clegg’s lot who preferred to agree with those who spoke in favour of ending the AWB. James Graham was one to do so. As the Duke of Montrose, he enjoys a special status in the aristocratic ranks and the 75-year-old’s other titles include Viscount Dundaff and Lord Aberuthven, Mugdock and Fintrie. The dukedom was awarded for supporting the Act of Union in 1707. With ownership of around 8,800 acres the current Duke is a millionaire.

As is also the case with Lord Cavendish, who told his fellow peers: “Low pay among agricultural workers is manifestly a myth.” No, that really is a quote! The Conservative politician owns Holker Hall, and its 17,000 acre estate, that overlooks Morecambe Bay in Cumbria. The estate has belonged to the Cavendish family since 1756. Lord Cavendish was created a life peer by Margaret Thatcher in 1990 and is third in line to the dukedom of Devonshire, who is one of Britain’s largest landowners with 65,000 acres in the UK and a further 8,000 in Ireland.

Despite the removal in 1999 by Tony Blair of hereditary peers from the Lords the second chamber is still packed with large landowners who are part of just 189,000 families (0.28% of the population) that own 88% of the land in Britain. This is the most imbalanced land ownership pattern in the world and yet incredibly this tiny elite also enjoys subsidies totalling over £10 billion through the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy.

The Marquess of Lothian voted to scrap the AWB. He is better known as former Tory MP Michael Ancram and became a life peer in 2010. As owner of 18,000 acres of land the former deputy leader of David Cameron’s party is worth around £60 million. Ancram is married to Lady Jane Fitzalan-Howard, the youngest daughter of the 16^th Duke of Norfolk, who can trace the family tree back to Plantagenet crown dynasty from 1189 and is worth at least £100 million.

Lord Astor of Hever also voted to impoverish agricultural workers. He is a relative of David Cameron, whose wife’s stepfather is Viscount Astor, the owner of 2,000 acres of land in Oxfordshire and 19,500 on the island of Jura, off the west coast of Scotland. The Viscount registers his Scottish estate in the Bahamas and thus avoids paying stamp duty and capital gains tax.

The richest member of Cameron and Nick Clegg’s cabinet – which contains 18 millionaires – was until January the leader of the House of Lords. Lord Strathclyde, another peer appointed by Margaret Thatcher, is worth an estimated £9.5 million. He is the majority shareholder in the family estate management company Auchendrane Estates.

Previously, Lord Strathclyde  was a non-executive director on the board of Galena Asset Management. This is the hedge-fund arm of Trafigura, the  Dutch multi-national commodity trading company  at the centre of a major health crisis in the Ivory Coast in 2006 when a ship charted by the company offloaded toxic waste in the West African country. Trafigura ended up paying the Ivorian government £100 million to clean up the waste and an additional £32 million to people who had suffered from toxic poisoning.

Lord Strathclyde was another Tory peer who voted with the proposal to end the AWB. No Labour peers agreed and so all it would have taken was for just 30 Lib Dem peers to have abstained and it would have been defeated. Far play to Lord Greaves, but this move by Nick Clegg’s crew is the latest example of a party that cares more for the limousines and the trappings of power than the ordinary working person of this country. There was nothing about ending the AWB in the Lib Dems 2010 election manifesto and it failed to feature in the coalition agreement. Clearly, the Tories have talked round Clegg into supporting their plans. 

As Janet Royall, Labour’s leader in the Lords said: “What will the Lib Dems say to agricultural workers having voted in favour of the abolition of the AWB. I am furious and frustrated that we lost the vote on the AWB. The interests of supermarkets and landowners have prevailed over the needs of agricultural workers.”