The 1925 Scottish Shale Oil Miners' Strike.

Below are a number of transcribed newspaper articles relating to the 1925 miners' strike at the Scottish Shale Oil Companies.

A few of the below article are (or will be) introduced with a short synopsis.

Synopsis: still to be added.

APPEAL TO WORKERS. COMPANY'S STATEMENT

The following statement was circulated yesterday morning among the workers at the various shale- mines and oil works in the Lothians by Scottish Oils (Ltd): — The directors of the Scottish Shale Oil Companies have learned with regret that the workers are not prepared to accept the reduction in wages which the directors were reluctantly compelled to propose, and to avoid any possible misunderstanding they think it right again to put the position fully before the workers. From the commencement of the present financial year the Companies have conducted operations at a loss, largely due to the termination of a favourable long-term contract, and in view of the serious outlook the position of the industry was brought before Government, who decided that they were not prepared to give any special financial assistance to the Scottish shale oil industry. As, however, suggestions had been made that the shale mines could be worked at a profit in existing conditions, the Board of Trade inquired if the Companies would agree to an independent accountant being appointed by the Government to investigate and report as to the costs of production and financial results at the present time in the shale mining industry carried on by the undertakings associated with Scottish Oils (Limited), particularly with regard to the mines and works it was then intended to close. To this the directors immediately agreed, and the independent accountants appointed have now completed their investigation and presented their report to the Board of Trade.

HEAVY LOSSES. The conclusions arrived at in this report are as follow:

— 1. There was a net loss on the shale oil operations of the Companies for the six months before making any provision for depreciation of works and plant of £ 77,822.

— 2. If depreciation at the standard rates adopted by the Companies is charged the loss is increased to £ 117,519.

— 3. The works proposed to be closed down show the heaviest losses per unit of output.

— 4. The accounts of the Shale Oil Companies for the six months, after allowing for income and expenditure, apart from shale oil operations and before making any provision for depreciation of works and plant, show a loss of £ 55,776.

From these facts and figures the directors hope it will be realised that they had no alternative but to propose a reduction in wages . Originally it was intended to close down entirely those mines and works where the heaviest losses were being incurred , and to carry on the remainder at reduced wages, but a subsequent offer by the Admiralty to purchase a quantity of fuel oil now makes it possible to carry on operations on a full scale, provided the workers are prepared to accept reduced wages. With the reduction in wages in operation, and the assistance of the Admiralty contract, and with market conditions as they are to-day, it will not be possible for the Companies to earn profits. Should market conditions alter, however, so that the accounts of the shale oil companies for the financial year ending 31st March 1926 show a more favourable result than that disclosed in the accounts for the six months ended 30th September last referred to in the independent accountants' report, the directors undertake to return any excess, up to the amount of the proposed reduction, to the employees by way of bonus as soon as the balance sheets of the Shale Oil Companies have been issued.

IF OPERATIONS CEASE. The directors trust that on reconsideration the workers will realise the very serious state of the industry and accept the reduction proposed. Failing this the mines and works must come to a standstill, and in view of the nature of operations this should be avoided if at all possible. The directors feel that they have done everything that can reasonably be expected in offering to carry on at least until the end of March under conditions which leave no profits to the Companies. Should the works become silent, it must be obvious that it is unlikely they will be re-started until such time as conditions have improved sufficiently to ensure operations being conducted on a profit-earning basis. If operations should cease, therefore, it appears from the trend of market conditions today that the mines and works are bound to remain closed for a considerable period. In all the circumstances, the directors feel that it is their duty to put these facts clearly before the workers in the hope that they will realise that the reduction in wages now proposed is absolutely essential, and they make a final appeal to the men to accept the reduction and continue at work, thereby joining in the effort, which is being made to maintain the shale oil industry.

The Scotsman, Tuesday 10 November 1925

................................................................

Shale Miners’ Strike. The Scottish shale miners have rejected the proverbial half-loaf that is better than no bread. Faced with the prospect of a 10 per cent reduction in wages they have gone on strike, apparently in the belief that the whole loaf may yet be mysteriously forthcoming. They cannot expect to receive it from the industry in Mid and West Lothian, for that industry has been running for some time at a loss. The figures of the independent actuaries appointed by the Government show that the net loss on the shale oil operations for six months was £77,822, without allowing for depreciation; if depreciation at the standard rates adopted by the Company be added, the loss is £ 117,519. the accounts of the Shale Oil Companies for the six months, after allowing for income and expenditure apart from shale oil operations, and without allowance for depreciation show a loss of £ 57,776, It is obvious that this process of loss has to be arrested. The facile solution of a Government subsidy would be a mere anodyne and not a remedy; it would erect the exceptional provision made - inadvisedly, as many believe- for the coal trade into a precedent to be followed as a matter of course by every distressed industry. If a subsidy is out of the question there remains two policies. The first is for the Companies to close down the least efficient departments. This seemed to be inevitable until the Admiralty offered to purchase a quantity of fuel – an act which made the adoption of a second line of policy possible. The Companies have, accordingly, proposed to carry on operations on a full scale, provided the workers are prepared to accept reduced wages. There is no intention to deprive the workers of part of their present wages if the industry can pay them. So much has been made clear by the offer of the shale oil companies to return as a bonus to the workers, up to the amount of the reductions, any excess shown in the balance-sheets for the year ending March 31, 1926, over the results disclosed in the accounts for the six months ended September 30 last. It is to be regretted that the workers could not see their way to accept this offer, and that they have gone the length of a strike, for the stoppage will render improbable the resumption of work on the full scale, and it will still further reduce the viability of the Scottish shale industry, which has survived where other similar enterprises have succumbed. Perseverance and skill erected the industry on Scottish soil. And now that it is suffering from a period of depression there is need of reasonableness and a facing of he fact that the industry is being worked at a serious loss.

The Scotsman - Wednesday 11 November 1925

................................................................

SHALE OIL CRISIS. Thousands of Workers Idle in Scotland. The shale oil crisis in West Lothian has ended in a complete deadlock, and about 10,000 workers will be idle to-day. A 10 per cent, reduction comes into operation to-day, when the stoppage will be complete. Many men yesterday returned to the mines mainly to collect their graith. Certain safety men, it is understood. will report for duty to-day for the purpose of closing down the plant, otherwise the strike will become fully operative at once. The view is expressed locally that the strike will not of very long duration. Not only will shale workers involved, but it is computed that about 2,500 coal miners will be affected should the strike be protracted.

The Sheffield Daily Telegraph - Wednesday 11 November 1925

................................................................

Synopsis: still to be added.

SHALE OIL CRISIS. 10,000 WORKERS IDLE.
After many endeavours to avert a crisis in the Shale Oil industry, the die has been cast and the workers in the Shale Oil Industry are idle, they having by 5063 to 929 votes decided to resist the proposal by the masters of a proposed 10 per cent reduction, the reduction, however, not to be enforced when a certain minimum was reached. The result was notified by Mr Nellie, secretary for the men, on Saturday morning to Scottish Oils. Ltd., and the Ministry of Labour. Mr Nellie was telegraphed for on Saturday forenoon by the Chief conciliation officer, ministry of Labour, to appear at Glasgow the same day and see if arrangements for the conference under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour between representatives of employers and men could be arranged.
SUNDAY'S Conference:
On the initiative of the Ministry of Labour a conference of representatives of masters and men held on Sunday at Middleton Hall, Uphall. After a discussion lasting 3 hours no progress had been made towards a settlement. It was learned that the report of the independent accountant appointed by the Treasury on the nomination of the County Convener, had substantiated the statements made by the employers as to their inability to pay the present rate of wages and copies of that report were placed in the hands of the delegates. Mr Fraser, the Managing Director of Scottish Oil (Ltd.). reminded the delegates of what he had previously said about this Company bring willing to carry on the industry without any profit to the shareholders. To that statement he now added that if at the end of the financial year the position then disclosed in the balance sheet showed a profit, that profit would he paid I back to the worker in the form of bonuses. So far as the Company was concerned, however, while they would regret exceedingly any stoppage of work, that would be inevitable if the reduction in wages proposed now was not accepted.
MEN ASK DELAY.
The men’s representatives reaffirmed their decision as to their refusal to accept the reduction. They proposed that notices as to reduction should be postponed for another fortnight, in order that wider inquiry might be made into the affairs of the company. Mr Fraser regarded any further inquiry as being incapable of producing any satisfactory result. In spite of the efforts of the representatives of the Ministry of Labour therefore the conference was abortive and there was no settlement. The Union delegates afterwards adjourned to Ross’ Hall, Uphall. where it was decided that a conference of delegates be called for Monday night when the question should be discussed to the advisability of declaring a strike. At this meeting also the representatives of the Ministry of Labour were also (to be) present.
MEN'S REPRESENTATIVE'S MEET.
A conference of the delegates from the various branches connected with the National Union of Shale Miners and Oil Workers was held in Dowell’s room Edinburgh on Monday night. Mr Samuel Foster Winchburgh, president of the Union, presided. Mr Nellie, general secretary was invited to survey the present situation. After doing so, he asked the delegates calmly and cooly to apply their minds to the problem now facing them. He asked that they give full consideration to the mandate they had received from the workers and the proposals by Scottish Oil Ltd. The delegates, after giving full consideration to the statement submitted by the general secretary, unanimously decided to abide by the result of the vote of the men.

ANOTHER VOTE REFUSED.
Two representatives of the Ministry of Labour were in attendance and were notified of the decision. They reported that after the conference at Middleton Hall Uphall on Sunday afternoon, they had again approached the employers with a view to having the notices suspended, pending the setting up of an independent tribunal or public committee of inquiry by the Government to inquire into the whole ramifications of Scottish Oils Ltd. and that the reply had been that the employers were not satisfied with the recent ballot vote and desired that the men should again be balloted, and that a week's grace be given on condition that the terms of the ballot paper would include reference to a public inquiry which the employers agreed to, and the acceptance, meantime, of the reduction in wager as proposed.

EMPLOYERS DECLINE

The conference again considered the matter and put forward the following terms of settlement: that notice presently poster be suspended for a period of two or three weeks, and that an independent tribunal or public committee of inquiry be set up by the Government to inquire into the whole ramifications of Scottish Oils Ltd at which both employers and workers would be represented. Further that the men would abide by the finding of the independent tribunal. The representative of the Ministry of Labour conveyed this decision to Scottish Oils Ltd and the employers refused to accede to the terms of settlement proposed by the men’s delegates.

MEN IDLE

All attempts at reaching an amicable settlement between the employers and the men in the Shale Oil Industry having failed, the men were idle on Wednesday. How long this state of affairs will continue no one can conjecture. Some 10,000 workers in Broxburn, Pumpherston, Mid Calder, West Calder, Seafield and Deans, Tarbrax, Philpstoun and Linlithgow are immediately involved but many other workers will be involved should the dispute be protracted. It is computed that among others that will affected will be some 2500 coal miners.

POSITION IN BROXBURN. On Wednesday morning it was found that none of the miners hod gone to work in the Dunnet Mine, though a number had turned up to lift their graith. At Boxburn Crude Works about half of the men were at work. And at Broxburn Refinery about one third. The candle-makers had to return home sufficient steam not being available. The stills were working and work was being carried on at the Acid Works. At the close of the day, however, it was understood that practically every department had ceased to operate at the Refinery and Crude Works. Pickets were on duty in the early morning. In the afternoon the strikers assembled and, headed by the public band, marched in orderly processional manner west to Uphall with a view to inducing the men engaged there in refining foreign crude oil to come out on strike. In the procession there was carried a Miners' Banner which has not seen much service of late. It is understood that the Uphill workers refused to strike, and made the suggestion that another ballot should be taken. It is said that an attempt is to be made to persuade the workmen at Grangemouth refinery to join the ranks of the strikers.

WINCHBURGH

According to instructions from the executive the men in the mines carried home their graith and finished up on Tuesday night. Not a man was at work on Wednesday morning unless ‘safety men’. It is expected that all the men will be idle by the end of the week, those at work being at the usual rate of wages.

PHILPSTOUN WORKS CLOSED

Philpstoun Oil Works, were closed down on Tuesday night. About 750 men are affected. These include miners and above ground workers. All the benches of retorts hare been damped down and the men employed underground have removed their graith from their working places. There are three mines affected. As these works form the chief industry in the Linlithgow district, the closing down is calculated to have far reaching effects in the community in which a markedly pessimistic feeling prevails. The management have intimated that the working places in the mines, as well as those above ground, are to remain open for any of the workers who desire to carry on.

STAND AT UPHALL

A curious situation arose on Wednesday in connection with the men employed at Uphall Works where only imported crude oil is treated. It seems that the workers there understood that previous to the ballet vote their wages would come under the reduction proposals and they voted against acceptance. On Tuesday however a notice was posted at the works intimating that their rates of pay would not suffer any reduction. Accordingly the men decided to work on Wednesday in spite of being warned by the men’s officials. In the afternoon a procession of something like 1000 strikers, headed by a brass band, marched from Broxburn towards the works at Uphall Station where they were met by a large number of other workers from Pumpherston, Oakland and other parts of the district, the object of the gathering being to meet the Uphall employees when they stopped work. There was a good deal of excitement, among the younger element especially, but this was kept well underhand as the result of an appeal made by Mr Nellies and other officials. Uphall workers were asked to abide by the ballet vote, and so assist their fellows to obtain a satisfactory settlement of the present dispute.

The men held, however, that their work being apart from shale operations and unaffected by the reduction, there was no reason that they should now remain idle, and said they would continue to work. On this attitude becoming known to the electrical workers employed at Pumpherston works, from which Uphall gets its electrical power, they at once intimated that, unless imported crude oil workers agreed to come out, they would refuse to work the electrical machinery after Wednesday night. This having been made plain to the Uphall men, the pickets returned to their homes.

THE BALLOT VOTE WAS A STRIKE IN VIEW

Operations were still completely suspended throughout the West-Lothian Shale District today as far as the production of shale and the manufacture of products were concerned. While the younger men are in a boisterous mood and express delight at the trouble which has arisen, the older men appear to be doubtful as to the wisdom of the strike. The taking of the ballot before the independent inquiry report was published has created much uneasiness. The ballet is now resented because it is felt that, however reluctant the miners were to accept a reduction in wages, the decision of the ballet might have been very different had it been taken later. The older miners now realise that even a reduction in wages with constant work is better than work in the coalfield with its broken time. This feeling is rapidly growing and it will not be surprising if a further ballot is demanded. It is hoped, that if any action is to be taken, it will be taken before the situation has grown to such an extent as to render the re-opening of the shale field impossible.

EFFECT ON CHILDREN, EDUCATION AUTHORITY’S CONCERN

The strike among workers in the shale oil industry was discussed at the beginning of a meeting of the Midlothian Education Authority, held at the Authority’s chambers at 9 Drumsheugh Gardens Edinburgh, yesterday – Dr R Inch presiding. Mr R Hood moved the suspension of the standing orders at the beginning of the business in order that the Authority might appoint a committee to devote attention to the oil shale dispute, so long as it lasted, in the interest of the Authority’s school children. As a result of the cessation of work in this industry hundreds of children, he said, would be affected. The suggestion received considerable support, and after discussion a special committee of ten including the chairman and the members for the affected district, was appointed.

300 COAL MINERS MAY BE THROWN IDLE

At Baads mine a serious situation is arising due to the trouble in the shale district. All the coal produced at this mine is consumed in the Scottish Shale and Oil Works and is not marketable, it is said, outside of the present arrangement. There is, therefore, a likelihood of over 300 men and boys being thrown out of employment at this coal mine.

A DOLE TEST CASE

Though the strikers were told that they would not get unemployment benefit during the dispute, the workmen have decided to make a test case of the question.

ANOTHER BALLOT TODAY – BASIS OF AGREEMENT

Negotiations were conducted in Edinburgh yesterday between Scottish Oils, Ltd and the executive of the National Union of Shale miners and Oil Workers, with a view of ending the strike entered upon on Wednesday. The executive members of the Scottish Trade Union Congress and representatives of the Ministry of Labour acted as mediators. After fully 9 hours discussion the Union agreed to take today a ballot vote of the workers on the following proposals accepted by the parties:

(1) that a Committee of Inquiry be set up to afford the Union an opportunity of demonstrating that it is possible for the shale industry to be carried on under present conditions without loss and without imposing any reduction in wages; and that an equal opportunity be given to the shale oil companies to justify the 10 percent reduction in rates and wages proposed by them.

(2) that, pending the finding of the Committee of Inquiry, work should be resumed forthwith, under the new rates of wages, in so far as employment is possible.

(3) Both parties to the Inquiry are to abide by the findings of the Committee of Inquiry.

(4) In the event of the Committee finding that the shale oil industry can be carried on under present conditions without loss and without the reduction in wages, the shale oil companies undertake to return to the workers the amount of the reduction for the period during which it has been in vogue.

The Court of Inquiry is to be set up by the Ministry of Labour with a neutral chairman.
In the meantime it is understood that many men required to maintain the equipment of the oil works and shale mines, are to return to work and last night telegrams were sent out to that effect by the men’s executive. Satisfaction prevails in West-Lothian at this prospect of a peaceful settlement.

West Lothian Courier - Friday 13 November 1925

................................................................

STRIKERS' DEPUTATION TO PARISH COUNCIL.

Necessitous Cases to be Relieved. West Calder, Saturday. In connection with the oil trade crisis, stirring scenes were witnessed in West Calder last night. A great crowd, accompanied by two bands, marched through the streets to the Parish Council Chambers, where an emergency meeting of the Council was being held. A deputation was sent into the meeting to ask the Council to relieve distress. The chairman said the whole burden of relief would fall on the direct taxpayers, and those residing in the company's houses would go free. He asked the deputation if the men's union would not assist by also raising a loan. The deputation refused to consider this. Ultimately the Council agreed to grant relief to necessitous cases up to the limit of £2 per household. Owing to the shale miners' strike, the Co-Operative Society had reduced the price of bread to 8d. All other goods have been reduced in price to help the workmen over the crisis.

Sunday Post - Sunday 22 November 1925

................................................................

SHALE OIL STRIKE. SEEKING BASIS FOR SETTLEMENT.

The members of the Executive Committee of the National Union of Shale Miners and Oil workers met at Bathgate yesterday, and for five hours sat considering suggestions for a settlement of the present oil workers' strike following the conference in Glasgow on Thursday. At the close of yesterday's meeting the press were officially informed that nothing definite had been fixed and that the meeting had been adjourned until this afternoon.
Uphall Parish Council decided last night, at a special emergency meeting, to levy a supplementary poor rate assessment of 1s 4d in the £, to be distributed equally between owners and occupiers, to meet the demands for assistance from the wives and families of the destitute unemployed. The Board of Health, it may be recalled, decided that it would be illegal to pay such relief to the men, but pointed out that, under an Act of 1845, the wives and families could be relieved. The relief granted will be 8s for a wife and 5s for each child.. The rate will bring in £8000, and will raise the parish poor rate to 6s in the £.

Edinburgh Evening News - Saturday 05 December 1925

................................................................

Synopsis: still to be added.

Shale Strike and New Terms of Reference.

LEADERS’ ADVICE TO MEN, SETTLEMENT EXPECTED.

If the recommendation which has been made by the Executive Committee of the National Union of Shale Miners and Oil Workers is followed by the men, the strike in West Lothian shale field will soon be at an end. As result of the conference last Thursday between T.U.C. and workers’ representatives and Scottish Oils, Lid., the men’s leaders have seen fit to advise the acceptance of the new terms reference mutually agreed upon. Briefly, there are that a Committee of Inquiry be set to establish whether or not Scottish Oils (Ltd.) and the various shale companies are a single unit, and that such workers as can be employed shall restart immediately at the old rate of wages. The findings of the committee as to wages will be binding until 31st March next. Should the ballot prove favourable to a settlement, 70 per cent of the works and mines will be re opened, but several months will probably elapse before all former employees can be absorbed. Indeed, it is stated that work cannot possibly found for 30 per cent of the strikers until April next, and then only if trade conditions show an improvement. It sincerely to be hoped that the men will now come the conclusion that a resumption is advisable. Even so, the position will not be too happy, but at least it will be infinitely preferable to that in which the district would be likely to find itself in the event of a continuance of the dispute. The ballot was taken to-day (Thursday), and is generally predicted that the men will fall in with their leaders’ recommendation.

NEW SETTLEMENT TERMS. Acceptance recommended by Workers’ Executive Council.

The Executive Council of the Shale Miners and Oil Workers’ Association met at Bathgate on Saturday evening for the purpose of considering the terms of reference as negotiated between the British Trades Union Congress, the Scottish Trades Union Congress, and Scottish Oils (Limited). After a three hours’ sitting it was announced that, after hearing a representative from the Trades Union Congress, the Executive Council agreed to recommend the new terms of settlement for acceptance. The main points in the new settlement are that a Court of Inquiry be set up. The Miners’ Association and Scottish Oils each to nominate two representatives with a neutral chairman, to be appointed by Mr Raeburn; that preparatory be resumed at 70 per cent of the works and mines; and that maintenance men be employed in the remaining works and mine, pending the findings of the Court of Inquiry—these men to be employed at the old rates. It is also stipulated that there will be no victimisation. Meetings with the men are being arranged for the early part of the week in the whole shale field to explain the new terms. A ballot vote will be taken to-day (Thursday).

TERMS DISCUSSED.
From the terms of reference agreed to on Saturday it would now appear that the Executive Council of the National Union of Shale Miners and Oil Workers and the managing director of Scottish Oils have agreed on certain questions to be submitted to a committee of inquiry to be set up. and which is to consist of two members nominated the employers and two by the workers, with a chairman appointed by the Ministry of Labour. It is expected that the committee will able to complete its inquiries and report its findings within two weeks.

Should the ballot vote of the workers, to be taken to-day (Thursday) show that the men are prepared to accept the proposals submitted, work is to be partially resumed, but only maintenance men and men employed on preparation operations will meantime be employed at the old rate of wages, pending the publication of the report of the committee of inquiry. The main question to be decided by the committee of inquiry is whether Scottish Oils (Limited) is so identical with the subsidiary shale oil company that the profits should be regarded as common to both. Should the committee answer this question in the affirmative, no reduction of wages will be made, but should the decision be adverse to the workers the reduction of 10 per cent, proposed by the employers on November 11 last will become effective.

NOT WORK NOT ALL.
On receipt the of committee's report 70 per of cent of the works and mines are to be the opened for employment, but it will probably be several months before all the workers formerly employed be absorbed. Employment could not possibly obtainable for the remaining 30 percent of the workers now on strike until April next, and only then if the condition of the Scottish shale oil trade showed such an improvement as would warrant work being fully resumed. As far as can be seen at present the only satisfaction that can be extracted from the position likely to be created is that the charge of maintaining the unemployed and their dependents in the parishes to be affected will be shifted from the parish councils in these parishes to the unemployment funds. The terms of settlement now proposed compare very unfavourably with those secured for the workers as a result of representations made by parties outside the dispute and which were rejected by the workers on the advice of their leaders.

EMPLOYERS' PROMISE.
It will be recalled that the employers on November 14 last agreed to carry on the whole shale field on condition that work be resumed at a reduction of 10 per cent, on all wages over 7s per day, the latter to be reduced only by only 5 cent, while those workmen in receipt of less than 7s per day were not to be asked to accept any reduction of wages. On the other hand, the employers promised that should a profit be shown from their operations up to the end of March, such profit would be distributed among the workers to the extent of the reductions in the form of a bonus. Other proposals for an immediate resumption of work as far as was then practicable were made on November 21, but were rejected by the Union officials. Had either of the proposals been accepted, work would have been resumed throughout the shale field and the present disastrous position avoided. The Union officials are to visit the various districts and recommend acceptance of the proposed basis of settlement, which is also recommended by the British Trade Union Congress, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and the Union executive.

N.U.R. CRITICISED, SHALE-MINERS’ LEADERS ADDRESS EDINBURGH MEETING.

Two of the shale oil workers’ leaders, Mr W. Nellies, secretary of the men’s Association, and Mr McKelvie were among the speakers on Sunday evening at a meeting held in Pringle’s Picture Palace, Elm Row Edinburgh under the auspices of the Edinburgh and District Trades and Labour Council. Mr T Cairns, president of the Council, who presided, said the meeting was arranged because it was felt that the crisis in the shale mining area was not receiving the attention it deserved in Edinburgh.
Mr Nellies referred to the terms of reference for a court of inquiry and said they had not got all they wanted. But they had preserved the status quo. They had not forgotten the principle they had set out to protect – the standard of life of the workers – and they went forward to the inquiry with confidence in the hope that they would be able to prove that the shale oil industry could be carried on without asking the workers engaged in the industry to make further sacrifices in their standard of living. (Applause). Mr Nellies complained that the dispute had been boycotted by the capatalist press. They felt that they had fought a clean fight and a straight fight. They wanted to know if the shale oil industry was to be sacrificed in the interest of capitalism. The workers were determined to have something better than a minimum wage of 0s 8d per day

N.U.R. AND THE DISPUTE

Mr McKelvie said they were told by the representatives of the British Trade Union Congress and the Scottish Trade Union Congress that the proposed terms of reference were the best they could get. They could imagine his position when he addressed a large meeting of the shale workers earlier in the day and had to tell them that they might be unemployed for months to come. The fault was not theirs. They had played their part, but the great Trade Union movement had not played the part it might have played. While they had men locally in the NUR who were prepared to take action, Union House said they were held by national agreements and added that they refused to allow their organisation to become the cockpit of the working class fight. The Trade Union movement was the hope of the working people, but it must be molded to their heart’s desire (Applause).
On the motion of Mr GW Crawford, a resolution was adopted expressing sympathy for the shale workers in the present dispute and calling upon the British Trade Union Congress and the Scottish Trade Union Congress to put the same machinery in operation as was done when the coal miners were threatened with the same lowered standard of existence as their West-Lothian comrades were now experiencing.

ROUND THE SHALEFIELD

How Various Districts Are Affected by the Strike

Should the shale strike, contrary to the anticipation of most, continue only a little longer, the situation in many districts will become serious. Prompt measures in the way of providing soup kitchens and so forth have done much to avert the distress which would otherwise have attended the dispute, but these emergency measures will not suffice for very much longer. Even should the strike be brought to a more or less happy termination it will be months before full recovery is effected, but at the same time conditions for all will lo infinitely happier. Correspondents in the various districts give particulars, given below, of the conditions in their localities.

FEEDING OF BROXBURN CHILDREN.

A special meeting of Broxburn School Management Committee was held in the High School on Monday evenings. The Rev. Mr Dunn presided. Applications from parents for the feeding of their children at school were dealt with. Of the 16 applications four were considered not qualified. Two applications for boots were dealt with also, and one was refused. After discussion the Committee agreed to ask the Salvation Army officials (who are running the soup kitchen) to undertake the feeding of the children, payment to be made at the rate decided the Education Authority. The subcommittee met again at Uphall and Broxburn Wednesday night, when further applications were considered.

UPHALL PARISH RELIEF.

Although the first statutory meeting of the newly elected Parish Council of Uphall does not fall to be held till today, the Scottish Board of Health authorised Mr James Muir, the Clerk. To call a special emergency meeting for Friday, in order to consider the serious financial position of the parish, in view of the shale dispute and the question of levying a supplementary assessment for the purpose of meeting the costs of payment to the wives and dependents of the unemployed men. It will remembered that the Scottish Board of Health intimated to all the Parish Councils in the shale area that it was illegal to make payments to able-bodied men who were destitute in consequence of the strike in the shale oil industry but that under the Poor Law Act of 1845, it was competent to give support to the wives and families of such men.
The Clerk said he had been informed by the Board that it would be necessary, in the Parish Council’s circumstances, to raise funds by a supplementary assessment which would be a sufficient warrant for the bank to give a further advance to the Council.
On the motion of Mr James McKelvie it was unanimously agreed to levy a supplementary assessment of 1s 4d per £, half on owners and half on occupiers. This would realise normally a sum of £8000 and the bank would allow an overdraft equal to one half that sum. This assessment, it was stated by the Clerk, would bring up the poor rate to 6s in the £. It was greed that payment should be given at the rate of 8s for a wife and 5s for a child.

LINLITHGOW DEPRESSION.

Principal interest in the dispute since the weekend in the Linlithgow district is centered in the fresh ballot ordered by the men’s Union Executive and the feeling prevailing is for a resumption of work. A considerable amount of acute distress prevails in the Kingscavil, Bridgend and Philpstoun districts and some 450 applications for relief have been received at Linlithgow Parish Council Chambers where an augmented staff is dealing with these. Relief is being granted to cases of actual destitution only under the 1845 Act. If destitution is threatened in the case of children the Parish Council has a certain duty to obviate starvation. At Bridgend School meals are being supplied under the Education Authority's scheme to necessitous children while communal kitchens have been established in various centers in the district by the men’s Union.

FUEL FOR WINCHBURGH STRIKERS.

Through the kindness of Mr Ralston, factor to Lord Linlithgow, the people of the Winchburgh and Niddry are being supplied with wood. A committee has been set up in each district to supervise the work. At present supplies are being got from the plantation known as Blackquarries, near Duntarvie. No wood on root has to be interfered with, and anyone found to be damaging trees on root will be prosecuted The Strike committee wish that these regulations will be complied with.
On Sunday afternoon a large meeting of the Winchburgh workers was held in the New Hall – Mr S.Foster, president of the Miners’ Association, presiding. Mr Tom Kerr, who addressed the meeting, gave an account of what had been taking place over the shale field since last meeting a week ago, and of the conference held in Glasgow last Thursday, the meeting with the employers of Friday, and the E.C. meeting in Bathgate on Saturday. At the close, a large number of questions were asked and dealt with. On Monday in the New Hall a similar meeting was held and was addressed by Mr M O’Hagan, agent, who also gave resume of the work done during the week. The ballet is being taken between 11 and 2 o'clock tomorrow in the New Hall.

SITUATION AT TARBRAX.

As a result of the shutting down of the shale mines and retorts, many people in Tarbrax, one of the remote villages of the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, are faced with starvation. Painful rumours regarding the destitute condition o many people reached Lanark on Saturday night (says a correspondent). Workers from Tarbrax, to the number of nearly 400, marched in procession to Carnwath, nearly 10 miles distance, on Thursday night last for the purpose of asking poor relief. Relief under the emergency clause of the Poor Law Act, which enables people in state of absolute destitution to get relief, has been given to a number of people in Tarbrax on the recommendation of the doctor there.

Linlithgowshire Gazette - Friday 11 December 1925

................................................................

Shale Strike Settled.

The strike in the Scottish shale fields is now over. The men, as shown by the result of the ballot vote, published yesterday, have agreed by a large majority to accept the terms of settlement recently endorsed by their own representatives and their employers . The main item of the agreement is that a committee of inquiry, consisting of two members nominated by each side, and a neutral chairman appointed by the Ministry of Labour, should be set up immediately. to settle the general question of wages, which originated the strike; and that in the meantime maintenance and preparatory work should be carried on at the old rate of wages. There is nothing very startling or original in this settlement, and the reflection that must occur to all impartial observers who have followed the dispute since it culminated in the men's strike on November 11 is as to why such an agreement was not reached earlier. Indeed, it is to be wondered why the strike ever occurred at all, for the miners have gained nothing by it. They have only caused misery to themselves and harm to the industry which gave them their livelihood. Why did the men go on strike? They refused to accept the 10 per cent reduction in wages which their employers were forced by economic circumstances to bring into operation. Their contention was that the reduction was not necessary. But did they face the facts? - Independent actuaries appointed by the Government had published figures which showed beyond any dispute that the industry was being carried out at considerable loss. Instead of realising that there was this hard wall of economic difficulties for all in the industry —employers and workers alike—to surmount, the miners shut their eyes and banged savagely into it. It was not that they were goaded to this by inconsiderate measures. From the very beginning the Companies expressed their willingness to have the matters in dispute placed before an independent Committee of Inquiry which would go into the pros and cons of the case. But the miners, or the most ill-advised of them, apparently were convinced that methods of force were preferable to those of reason. They rejected the first offer of arbitration made to them. As the dispute dragged on, however, it became obvious that unless agreement was reached the trouble would end in the shale industry being wiped out of existence. And so new terms of agreement were drawn up between the men’s representatives and the employers. It is this agreement which has now been ratified. While it is gratifying that reason has at last prevailed, it is unfortunate that so much harm should already have been wrought by the more primitive method.

The Scotsman - Saturday 12 December 1925

................................................................

SHALE OIL INQUIRY. How Workers' Wages Have Been Reduced.

At the resumed sitting of the inquiry into the Scottish oil and shale companies, presided over by Sheriff Laing, Aberdeen, at Glasgow on Saturday, Mr Walter Nellies, general secretary the National Union of Shale Miners and Oil Workers, gave evidence in support the workers' case. The witness mentioned that it was not really a dispute between employers and employed. The relations between the parties all along had been friendly, and they entered upon the inquiry in the hope that they would have some fruitful results. During 1921 the workers had submitted in all to a wage reduction of 9s, from 19s to 30s a day. Further cuts had reduced the minimum to 7s a day, and they now said to the employers that their efforts to save the shale mining industry they had reached stage that, before any further reductions in wages took place, there should be a corresponding reduction in the cost of living compared with pre-war prices. The workers further suggested that the employers would have to make sacrifices in profits and dividends if the industry was to be saved. The Government's policy, remarked witness, in reply to a question by the chairman, ought to assist giving a better contract for oil fuel. He also suggested, amidst laughter, that the Government's policy should be to buy British goods. The inquiry was adjourned till to-day.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Monday 21 December 1925

................................................................

THE SHALE OIL DISPUTE. Chairman's Temporary Way Out. When the inquiry into the Scottish shale oil industry was resumed at Glasgow yesterday, it was learned that an important arrangement had been reached between the parties during the week-end. This, it is expected, will result in immediate reopening of the mines. the suggestion of the chairman, Sheriff Laing, Aberdeen, it was agreed that instead of deferring the resumption of work until the Court of Inquiry had reported, the companies should start work forthwith as far as practicable at works and mines referred to in Article 2 of the terms of reference; and that, instead of a reduction of 10 per cent, the immediate reduction, pending the decision of the Court, should 5 per cent, which percentage should be returned in the event of the Court's decision being in favour of the workers. The morning session yesterday was taken up with legal evidence as to the unification of the companies. Mr A. M. Mackay, K.C, and Mr T. A. Gentles, K.C., who had collaborated in a memorandum, both spoke in support of their opinions expressed therein, which, Mr Mackay explained, were identical practically on every matter. Summing up his views, Mr Mackay maintained that the Scottish Oils and the other subsidiary shale companies were within the fullest sense within the class of companies well known in law as subsidiary or controlled companies. Mr W. Craig (for the company)— Supposing the outlook in the shale industry was black, and that at the moment there was no prospect of its recovery, with the assumptions before you, how long do you suggest that Scottish Oils could continue to use their revenue to pay wages? Witness—On the assumptions given, you should advise those who have come to this Court to liquidate at once.

Aberdeen Press and Journal - Tuesday 22 December 1925

................................................................