20,000 - 30,000 Pitmen Protest for Better Working Conditions in Newcastle

Of all the industrial jobs in the Industrial Revolution it is probable that coal miners endured the worst working conditions. This broadside measuring 346 x 254 mm was printed to gain public support immediately after a very large scale demonstration involving 20,000-30,000 pitmen in Newcastle on March 21, 1831. In this huge meeting the miners set out their demands for what they called fair and regular hours, as stated on the broadside. The following month, at the end of the bond term, the miners put down their tools in a largely non-violent protest, and achieved some concessions from the masters, resulting in the reduction of working hours for boys to twelve hours.

"First to work twelve instead of fifteen or eighteen hours a day; secondly, to alter the present mode of binding. The way they are now engaged is this; If they are kept off work for three days, they can demand pay for the days after that, unless sent to work. To counteract this, the owners employ them the fourth day, and by that means can keep them off the three days after without any further expence. In consequence of such conduct as this, the poor pitmen are often only employed four or five days in the fortnight.

"The reason why the owners give no better work is of course, from the conbination among themselves, to send only a certain quantity of coals to market, in order to keep up the prices.--When there is a great demand, then the men are made to work like horses.

"If they are not bound again to the same colliery at which their time as just expired, and do not then immediately quit their houses though they have no place to go to, their furniture is, without further notie, put to the door.

"These conditions the workmen undoubtedly want to ameliorate, and to have laws which may have something like humanity in them. It will be better if they would bridle in their just resentment, and not let their enemies found room for censure. Let their demeanour be firm but peacable, and remember that the old proverb--"Patience and Persevence" is still true; and if properly followed, they may yet see the day when the poor shal have fair play as well as the rich."