By March 1893, Blantyre miners were getting annoyed, more so than usual. For some months previous, there was a growing rumour at Dixon’s Pits that the miners were deliberately being underpaid.
It affected over 600 men employed at Dixon’s four Blantyre pits and so a meeting was help in High Blantyre’s Masonic building, where it was calculated that the average miners wage in Blantyre was around 4s per day. In fact, it did not exceed 4s.
It was then pointed out that the average mining wage in Scotland as a whole that year was approx 5s per day, leaving a perceived shortfall of some 20-25%. A vote by ballot was taken about how to progress, with miners choosing rather than to strike, to propose a week’s holiday, giving them all much needed time off. However, when miners agents pointed out afterwards that this would not recompense them for the full shortfall, a further vote was held. Many did not vote, but the outcome was resumption of work 44 to strike 42. The voting outcome certainly reflects the fear men had of no wages coming in during a period of strike and the possibility of losing their jobs.
Photo: AI
