December 11th, 1912

Council Meeting held Wednesday, December 11th 1912 at 3pm.

Attendance.

Present Miss Emily Cox (chair), Mr. Graeme Cox, Mrs. J. J. Findlay, Mrs. O.M. Aldridge, Mr. Edward Dale.

Apologies. Apologies for absence submitted from Councillor Margaret Ashton, Mr. Hugh V. Herford, Councillor James Johnston.

Minutes. Minutes of the last meeting were read and passed.

Finance. The monthly financial report was presented by the Secretary.

Resignation Mrs. Tawney. A letter was read from Mrs. Tawney resigning her membership of Council as she was leaving Manchester for London.

Annual Meeting. Show of Sweated Goods. It was decided to arrange for the Annual Meeting to be held early in February and invite Mrs. Tenant or Mrs. Reeves as the chief speaker. It was also proposed to arrange for a show of articles made by low paid workers to precede the meeting.

Sub-Committee Minutes. The Sub-Committee Minutes were read.

Messrs. Reynolds Clothing Factory. The Minutes showed that a complaint had reached the Council from workers employed at Messrs. Reynolds Clothing Factory in Canal Street of deductions from wages. Every worker earning over 5/6 and less than 10/6 per week had 9 deducted - 3 for hot water; 3 for insurance and 3 for power. Those earning 10/6 had 6 deducted - 3 for power and 3 for hot water, the firm paying the 3 insurances for them. The deduction for power and hot water which were high in comparison with charges made by similar firms were reported to the Factory Inspector and the insurance deductions had been referred to the Insurance Commission. Several meetings of the girls had been arranged and it was hoped that the Union would gain in membership.

Painters. The Painters to Calico Printers Engravers’ Union was growing and had held a very successful meeting at the Caxton Hall Salford.

Rubber Workers. The Secretary reported a suggestion from Miss Ashton that an attempt should be made to get the Daily Citizen to write up the rubber trade in Manchester. With a view to possible action along these lines it was decided that a further attempt should be made to further organisation in the trade as early as possible after the Christmas holidays.

Broughton Flax Workers. The winding up of the Broughton Branch of the Flax Workers Union was reported. This was made inevitable through the voluntary winding up of the Broughton Mill and the impossibility of the workers getting similar work in the country. The money was being returned to the members, all receiving the amounts they had paid in, less two pence the share per member of expenses incurred. The Caxton Hall Salford was engaged for the evening of the 5th and 6th December and the majority then received their money. Others were coming to the office.

Emily Cox January 8th 1913