May 18th, 1918

Minutes of E.C. Meeting held on May 18th, 1918 at 3.00 pm

Members present:-Miss Emily Cox (chair) Mrs. Findlay, Miss Ashcroft, Mrs. Withington, Mrs. Ashwell Cooke, Mr. Herford.

Minutes. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted.

Joint Wood Workers’ Conference. Arising out of the minutes it was reported that the Joint Meeting of the Wood Workers’ Union with the Packing Case makers had been held on April 16th. The men had explained the objects of their Society, and the girls seemed to regard the proposal with satisfaction. A further meeting would be held after the matter had been thoroughly discussed by the Branches.

Finance. The Treasurer presented a financial statement for the month.

Correspondence. A letter was read from the Manchester and Salford Trades and Labour Council asking for a deputation to meet their Executive on Wednesday, May 8th at 7.30, to further discuss the financial position of the Council, and to receive a report of the replies to the special Joint Appeal. It was decided that Miss Cox, Mr. Herford and Miss Quaile attend the meeting.

Mr. and Mrs. G.V. Cox. Miss Cox reported that she had received a letter from Mr. and Mrs. G.V. Cox asking the Council to accept their resignations, as they had removed from Manchester. It was moved by Mrs. Ashwell Cooke, seconded by Mr. Herford and agreed that their resignations be accepted with regret, and the Secretary was instructed to convey to Mr. and Mrs. Cox the Council’s appreciation of the services they so cordially rendered when in Manchester.

Miss Eckhard. It was moved by Miss Cox, seconded by Mrs. Withington and agreed that Miss Eckhard be asked to become a member of the Executive Committee.

Half yearly Council Meeting. It was decided to hold the half yearly meeting of the Council on June 4th if possible, and to endeavour to get a speaker to give an address on the Whitley Report. Mr. Hookway was suggested. It was decided to invite our Trade Union Secretaries, as well as Council members.

Sub-Committee Minutes. The Sub-Committee minutes were read. These showed that officers and committee had now been appointed for the new branch of the National Federation of Women Workers at Crossley’s Aircraft works, Levenshulme. Many girls were not receiving the standard rate of wages, and the question had been referred to the Ministry of Munitions.

Two visits had been paid to Glover’s, Cheadle, and it had been found that the girls were only receiving from £1.00 to 24/-per week. The matter had been reported to the Ministry of Munitions.

A Conference with the Building Trades Employers’ Federation had been held on April 18th. The questions in dispute were piece-work and overtime. A letter had been received stating that it had been agreed that overtime rates for women’s labour should be on the basis of those applying to skilled men in the trade. The Federation did not consider that the conditions of piece-work at Sinker and Jonnys were in any way injurious to the works people employed.

Heywoods, Weaste. The girls at this firm had joined the National Federation of Women Workers, being under the impression that it was the Wood Workers’ Union. They had decided not to pay any further contributions until a meeting had been held.

Miss Quaile had addressed an organising meeting held at the Shirt, Collar, and Jacket Workers Union.

Visits had been paid to Armstrong Whitworth’s Works, where girls were employed as concreters. An indoor meeting was to be held as soon as convenient.

Miss Quaile had attended the first meeting of Employers and Employed in the Leather trades, called by the Ministry of Reconstruction, and had also attended a meeting of the Leather Trades Federation in Birmingham on April 13.

Emily Cox June 12th 1918.