John R. Raynes

“ The high compliment you have conferred upon us expands indefinitely in value, because it voices the sentiments of fraternity and mutual interest, which neither oceans, mountains, lakes nor any other boundary can limit, and which I trust is preparing the mind of all thinking men to accept the dogma that 'The brotherhood of men and fatherhood of God' is something more and better than a delusion. ”

“ Sickness claims had been very severe that year, as a result of prolonged frost and fog in the winter, and some branches had to obtain advances from the general fund to meet liabilities. Out-of-work relief was granted 45 members owing to the "unfortunate" strike in South Wales, alluded to later. Commenting on this episode, the report says:
"Members should prevent as far as possible these unfortunate strikes. In most cases they only embitter the feelings of employers towards the employed. With a strong body of men like enginemen we can secure our aims without such rash measures. ”

“ During the year the railway companies have made large dividends, and in some cases have made considerable concessions to their servants. Many things require remedy, like Sunday labour, guarantee of a full week, better protection from the weather when on the footplate, etc. ”

“ As companies discovered the men really had a strong society, and a sum of £10,000 behind them, and that unjust fines and suspension losses were paid back, the companies resorted to an alternative method of reducing rates of pay, and the 1889 Conference had to find special means of dealing with that practice. ”

“ Thirteen new branches were opened in the year, and 704 new members enrolled. It should be remembered that the Midland strike had lost the Society 403 members, but the close of 1888 found 2,368 members on the books, a net increase of 301. "Since that time," added the report, "our growth has been most rapid, a sure indication that our members are becoming increasingly alive to the necessity and usefulness of a trade union for locomotive workers." ”

“ The two combined are an attraction to young men to join the Society. Whilst fulfilling those conditions the financial responsibility of the Society to these members compels the majority to move cautiously in matters affecting their labour, obtaining by diplomacy what the aggressive union attempts to secure by force. ”

“ It was possible, during the first eight years, for an elderly worker to join, to pay a matter of £1 in regular contributions for eighteen months, and then to fall back on superannuation at £13 a year. ”

“ To such vast dimensions had a single railway company developed by 1890.
The Society had established its benevolent fund at the Triennial Conference held at Leeds in 1889, and had appointed Mr. Shuttleworth as assistant to the secretary. Efforts were authorised to secure the amalgamation of the Locomotive Steam Engineers & Firemen's Sick Society, and similar societies at Nottingham. ”