From mid September 1892 for a couple of weeks, the miners at William Dixon’s Pits in Blantyre found themselves on a 3 day working week! A considerable reduction in working hours, which corresponded to a considerable reduction in take home pay.
The reason was outbreak of Cholera throughout the area. Notices were posted up on the gates of Blantyre collieries informing workers and the public that the situation would continue for the time being. Dixons traded for many years with Hamburgh and restrictions on handling goods in cholera areas meant precautions and a reduction on demand. Even by the end of the first week, the effect this was having on miners and their families could be felt.
Reading back through this, there are similarities to Covid, in controlling the supply and distribution of goods whilst an outbreak of disease was happening. Though not to the same extent, the situation would have been frustrating and to some people, perhaps frightening.
