John R. Raynes

“ Even if they are not the same they shall receive our earnest consideration, as you deserve for your energy. Trusting the flame you have lighted in Sheffield may never be extinguished, and that soon enginemen and firemen may take their proper place in the front rank of skilled labour. ”

“ You will allow me in the name of our men to congratulate you on your energy, and I may hope your complete success, in the formation of a branch, and at the same time to inform you that the M &S, men are the first founders of the Society. ”

“ We should be contributing five and six times as much to the company in lost wages. Mechanics, who get 32s, weekly, are paying one pound quarterly to their union." The G.W.R., the G.N.R., and the North Eastern had already convinced railwaymen of the necessity of a protection fund as well as friendly society benefits. The Taff Vale line was returning eleven per cent. profit and paying drivers 5d. to 71⁄2d. an hour. Firemen and cleaners were sent out on seventy miles journeys with passenger trains, and several moves of this kind stung the men to action. ”

“ Fostering the belief that Sir Daniel Gooch was the enginemen's friend, and confident of wages and hours agreed to in 1867 remaining unaltered under any circumstances, the G.W. drivers and firemen, have been heedless of the numerous warnings that railway labour of every grade was threatened. ”

“ They were indeed taking the only course to fling off slavery. During the same year the London & North Western had threatened to discharge men who held office in the inoffensive Amalgamated, and some members refused to be nominated as delegates to the A.G.M. for that reason. ”

“ Any member being discharged for having taken any active part in any question relating to hours and wages, be having been duly appointed by his branch to do so, shall receive the sum of £100, and 15s. per week whilst seeking re-employment. ”

“ The G.N.R. had inflicted several dismissals, and all companies were doing their utmost to discourage orphan funds. Wages were reduced by 4s. to 6s. weekly, firemen receiving 3s. 6d. for twelve hours service, which actually meant 14 to 16 hours; branch engine drivers received 5s. daily for twelve hours, third class goods men 5s. 6d., and higher classed drivers had sixpence an hour for main line work. Let us come now to the spirit prevailing amongst the men. A Protection Fund was mooted, to which drivers would contribute 11⁄2d. weekly and firemen three-farthings. ”

“ The matter lies in a nutshell— we want a large sum of money to protect us as enginemen and firemen from the rapacity of our employers, and at once. We cannot afford to wait three or four years, we must wait one year ”