Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 13 July 1883

Threatened Strike Of Glassblowers

The glassblowers employed by Messrs. Kilner Bros., Conisborough; Mr. Thomas Barron, Mexborough; Messrs. Waddington and Sons, Mexborough; and the South Yorkshire Glass Bottle Company, Swinton, have sent a notice to their employers to leave work in one week if 3s. advance in wages and some concessions in the working arrangements are not made.

The demand, if acceded to by the employers, will be equal to an advance of 20 per cent. on the men’s wages. With the exception of one or two firms the whole of the glassblowers throughout the South Yorkshire district have given the notice.

The trade has been exceptionally brisk during the present summer, and as a consequence most of the manufacturers have cleared out their stocks. If the men gain their point the advance will come into operation on the 16th inst.

A meeting of the employers and workmen is arranged for to-morrow, when it is to be hoped that an amicable understanding will be arrived at.

About 1,000 men in the Mexborough, Swinton, and Conisborough district are concerned in the matter.