THE SOCIAL CONDITIONS OF SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE IRONWORKERS
by John Jones, F.G.S.
Assistant Secretary to the South Staffordshire
Ironmasters' Association
Birmingham and the Midland Hardware District (1866)
WAGES
As a general rule, the persons engaged in the different branches of the iron manufacture earn good wages. The custom in the trade is to base the rates of payment in the several departments upon the recognised price of bar iron, as determined at the quarterly meetings of the manufacturers. The nominal payment for puddling is one shilling per ton for every pound in the price of bar iron; but, owing to various circumstances, it is now one shilling per ton above the regulative rates, nor is it likely that any attempts will be made to fall back upon the old standard. The wages in other departments oscillate 10s. for each change of a shilling in the price for puddling. The net earnings per head in an ironworks of ordinary size may be roughly estimated at about 28s. to 30s. per week, though there will be some among the number who will earn from £2 to £4 each, and some few more even than this. The above facts have been obtained by an examination of pay-sheets in connection with the principal ironworks. These wages are paid upon what is called five "turns," or days, per week. The question of wages has been the fertile source of many serious disputes between masters and men in this district, and especially during the last few years. South Staffordshire has, indeed, obtained an unenviable notoriety of late owing to the severe labour contests, which have brought so much distress upon the operatives, and have to some extent diverted trade from the manufacturers. The causes of these difficulties are, however, easily determined. The depressed state of the iron trade about eight years ago had the effect of driving many of the workmen to seek employment in chain and other trades, so that when the demand for iron began to increase, there was a great scarcity of men. Before this state of things had been remedied by the natural course of events, many new ironworks were established in the North of England, in North Staffordshire, and in other places. In each case South Staffordshire was regarded as the nursery which would supply the skilled men to carry on their new works; and, in order to induce puddlers and others to leave their homes and family connections, higher wages were freely offered. This gradually led to an agitation for similar renumeration in the parent district; and the result was, that gradually the expense of producing iron in England became so considerable that foreign makers began to compete for our iron trade, and sent large importations of finished iron into our principal ports. Thus it was necessary to reduce the cost of manufacturing iron, and as this was mainly a question of lowering the rate of wages so much per cent., a series of struggles ensued, which resulted in the cheapening of production. The rapid extension of the iron trade of the country has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in skilled labourers; but the high wages which are to be earned in this employment, and the comparative ease with which any workman of average intelligence can learn all that is necessary to enable him to take his place in nearly any department of an iron-works, is rapidly remedying the deficiency in the labour market. Considering the position of South Staffordshire with regard to its means of exporting its produce, it might be expected that the rate of wages would be lower than in districts more favourably situation; but even were this so, there are many points in favour of the men in this district, as rents are low, and provisions cheap, and the means of inter-communication are easy.
GENERAL
There has been a good deal written about the social conditions of the ironworkers of South Staffordshire, but most of the accounts are exaggerated one way or the other. The nature of the employment induces a generally rude external appearance, and the strain upon the physical energies leads them as a rule to live expensively, and to drink excessive quantities of stimulants. They are singularly improvident as a class, and though they obtain good wages, they have a remarkable genius for spending all they earn, while they devote but little attention to their home comforts. They are vivacious pleasure seekers, and hence Saint Monday is observed as a general district holiday. Their general bearing is calculated to create an unfavourable impression, as their language and manners are unpleasantly uncouth. But, on the other hand, there are many redeeming features in their character. They are extremely hospitable and kind to each other, and if any one is unfortunate, they willingly assist him out of his difficulties - not by loans, but by gifts outright. They appear more interested in giving their children some education than do the miners of the district, who are singularly apathetic in this respect. They are also a generally well-conducted body of men, as was apparent in the late dispute. Unlike the miners, they did not resort to any unseemly demonstrations or violent speeches, but met quietly together, and talked matters over, and throughout the struggle not a single case of unruly conduct was reported. The employers were never molested in any way, and so admirably did a considerable number of the men comport themselves in connection with the complicated aspect of affairs at that time, especially the higher class of ironworkers, that it seems probably the district will not again be troubled with an unfortunate struggle like the one mentioned for many years to come. The men mostly belong to sick and benefit societies; but they are generally but sorry affairs, and are too often found to fail when the members most require assistance. The manufacturers have devoted much attention to providing for the religious and educational wants of their men. Several ironworks have extensive schools and churches attached to them. In a few cases missionaries are employed to visit the men and their families. The whole district is well supplied with schools and places of worship, and for the encouragement of the former, the ironmasters have a prize scheme, and award annually between two and three hundred pounds to the most deserving pupils in each. Though frequently disappointed in the results which appear to arise from philanthropic efforts of various kinds, the numerous agencies by which attempts are being made to elevate the social and moral condition of the people are well supported, and compare not unfavourably with other manufacturing districts. In all these respects great advances have been made during the last fifteen years, and, though much remains yet to be accomplished, there is reason to hope that each year will be marked by a further elevation of the social condition of the people who are engaged in the staple manufacture of South Staffordshire.