Brass and Metal Workers' Crusade
In 1909 the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers and Metal Mechanics responded to the passing of the Trade Board Act by launching its own Birmingham-based 'Brass and Metal Workers' Crusade Against Sweating'. The increased mechanisation of the metal working industry had led to the replacement of skilled craftsmen with semi-skilled workers (including women and children, who were paid lower wages than men). Promoters of the 'Crusade' were strongly opposed to the employment of women as metal workers, arguing that the women were depriving family men of work and being forced into an occupation "unfitted for the sex"Link opens in a new window. The 'Crusade' ran until March 1910, when a Board of Conciliation (containing representatives of both employers and employees) was established. Bulletins and ephemera relating to the campaign are included in a bound volume in the archives of the National Society of Metal MechanicsLink opens in a new window, and links to digitised versions are given below.
Summary of the 1909 Trade Board Act, produced for members of the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers and Metal Mechanics.
The printed circular includes a rousing statement by the union's General Secretary W.J. Davis. It includes the assertion that "the age is against sweating" and puts forward the proposal that, in order to get a "living wage" for semi-skilled machine workers, "all men who earn less than 28/- per week shall be advanced one half-penny per hour".
The meeting of "all sections of the Brass and Metal Trades" was held at the Bristol Hall, Birmingham. The proceedings are described as being of "an enthusiastic character all through". The Chairman's speech includes the comment that "the introduction of machinery has played havoc with our trade; highly skilled mechanics have been forced on to the streets, and women, girls and boys have been taken to fill their places".
Report of meeting at the Royal Hotel, Redditch, on 28 October 1909Link opens in a new window
The speech of W.J. Davis includes references to the history of trade unionism, arguments over the 1909 Budget and increased unemployment due to mechanisation. The back page of the report contains an illustration of women metalworkers, reproduced from the Sunday Chronicle, with an appeal to "end this scandal".
The meeting was held at Moseley Road Council Schools, Birmingham. W.J. Davis responds to comments by local clergymen, gives "concrete cases" of sweated labour, and praises working conditions at Lucas. A speech of support was also made by Rev. G.H. Moore.
The meeting was held at Lingard Street Council Schools, Birmingham. The report includes speeches calling for trade union unity and support of the Labour Party, and comments on "slumdom" in Birmingham. The back page contains a Labour Party cartoon of a worker chopping down the tree of 'land monopoly' and 'sweating'.
The meeting was held at Steward Street Council Schools, Birmingham. The speech by W.J. Davis includes references to the organisers' meeting with the Bishop of Birmingham, the 1905 Revolution in Russia, support for the crusade from employers and political campaigning. The National Federation of Women Workers representative Joan Varley also spoke.
The meeting was held at Mary Street Council Schools, Birmingham. Speeches include appeals for workers to unify to "kill the demon" of sweated labour.
Christmas Greetings, 1909Link opens in a new window
Christmas campaign card calling for people to "come forth and help the Crusade".
The Anti-Sweating Crusade: Employers and workmen agree on a remedy, 1910Link opens in a new window
The circular reports on the first meeting of the new Board of Conciliation on 7 March 1910. The Board contained sixteen representatives of the Employers’ Association and sixteen representing the National Society of Brassworkers (previously known as the National Society of Amalgamated Brassworkers and Metal Mechanics). One of the first actions of the Board was to request "the Board of Trade to schedule the Brass Trades of the country under the Trade Boards Act of 1909". It didn't.
Speakers at the meeting reflected on the anti-sweating crusade and the work of the Board of Conciliation. The Board's proposed scheme for minimum wages was presented to the meeting for approval.