An enthusiastic meeting of builders’ labourers of Rushden, who have recently formed a union, took place in the Trade Union Club, Rushden, on Monday, to consider the question of the raising of wages by 1d. an hour. The meeting had been called by Mr. C. Ince, assistant organiser of the United Builders’ Labourers’ Union. Mr. T. Eaton, president of the branch presided, supported by the secretary (Mr. E. Dickens), with various members of the committee.

Mr. Ince prefaced his address by saying that he had a most favourable reception from the master builders of Rushden, and was able to speak very highly of the prospects before them on that point alone. Without the slightest hesitation, he could assure them that the masters would receive a deputation of the Labourers’ Union in conference in the very near future. (Applause) It was proposed to submit a code of working rules to the Maters’ Association and to request an increase of 1d. an hour for builders’ labourers. Proceeding, Mr. Ince said that from the increased cost of living and, he understood,

Increased Rents

in many instances, it was urgent that the labourers should ask the employers to consider their very modest demand. Such demands had already been conducted and approved to Kettering, Wellingborough, Northampton and other districts such as Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, etc. Owing to the unfortunate dispute in London, the officials of the United Builders’ Labourers’ Union had not been able sooner to devote the time necessary to approach the master builders of this district. The trouble in London was due to the fact that the Master Builders’ Association of London issued a document on Jan. 24 last claiming to penalise members of the Labourers’ Union to the extent of £1 in the event of their breaking any rule as agreed by the Labourers’ Union and the Masters’ Association. That unfortunate procedure on the part of the employers had brought about the disastrous lock-out and the unpleasant position in London, but he was pleased to be able to say that owing to the activity and support of other organisations up and down the country the men had been able to resist the employers’ unscrupulous suggestions that would have had a tendency to smash the trade union movement so far as their industry was concerned in London. Recognising that, had the masters succeeded in their designs, there was the danger of other masters’ associations following the same course, other and larger organisations had come to the rescue. It was even now said that the master builders of London were appealing to the Board of Conciliation sitting in London to declare a national lock-out, which would undoubtedly mean a national calamity. (Hear, hear) In such an event the Labourers’ Union would immediately approach the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress for assistance to resist to the uttermost the imposing of such a document upon their members. (Applause) The only real difficulty in the way was that the employers objected to

‘Ticketing Inspection’

Upon their works and the visits of officials of the men’s union on the works for the purpose using moral suasion in cases of men refusing to join the various organisations connected with the London Building Trades Federation. That Federation had always been recognised by the master builders of London, each meeting sectionally at different times.

Mr. Ince advised the members of the Rushden Branch to affiliate with the Rushden and Higham Trades and Labourer Council, as they were allowed affiliation fees for the purpose. He also advised them to form a committee of all sections of the trade with a view to discussing questions appertaining to the industry for the purpose of avoiding any friction between employers and men in the district.

In concluding the speaker said he was extremely pleased to report that in his opinion their efforts would be successful. He mentioned that one the builders of Rushden had rightly pointed out that

Present Contracts

Should have some consideration, and Mr. Ince had agreed with that gentleman. In reply, he had assured the employer that the Union had no desire to put any extra cost on any sympathetic master builder in the district. But he hoped that serious consideration would be given to the question at the conference and that the good sense and reason of the employers would bring about the desired result. He wanted an amicable understanding with the employers, so that a settlement could be arribed at with a good prospect of peace for a considerable time to come. (Applause)

A good discussion took place, Mr. Ince replying in a satisfactory manner.

A committee of the president, the secretary, and Mr. G. Winsor were appointed to meet the Rushden Master Builders’ Association as soon as the conference is arranged.