In 1903 the
Report of the Arbitration Between the Bookbinding Trade Section of the London Chamber of Commerce and the London Societies of Journeymen Bookbinders was published as a 750-page book. This may be the longest printed document recording a labor dispute between bookbinders and management.
From the Prefatory Note I will quote selections:
"On 22nd October, 1901, the Federated Societies of Journeymen Bookbinders addressed an appeal to the Employers for better conditions, including an increase of the minimum wage from 32s. to 36s.
"After due consideration, the Employers associated with the Bookbinding Section of the London Chamber of Commerce appointed a Committee to meet with an equal number of men's representatives, and after a lengthy discussion replied that they were unable to concede any alterations on the lines of the men's circular, but suggested the general extension of piece work in the trade (instead of its confinement by the influence of the Trade Unions to certain shops and classes of work) as an alternative means of increasing the men's wages.
"Matters remained in comparative abeyance until near the autumn of 1902, when Resolutions were proposed at a mass meteing of the men, deprecating the refusal on the part of the Employers to re-open the question, and declining to work overtime until the Employers agreed to negotiate upon the claims embodied in the men's memorial.
"The Employers thereupon issued a manifesto pledging themelves to maintain the status quo; and, in November, the men held another mass meeting, and decided upon the further step of withdrawing from employment, from a given date, all men receiving less than 36s. This determination was duly notified to the Employers, who replied by issuing lock-out notices to all the men receiving 36s. and upwards, and, at the same time, urged the desirability of submitting all matters in dispute to Arbitration....
"The difficulty of formulating the terms of reference to meet the views of both parties caused a further delay, but, finally, Mr. C. J. Stewart, who had been appointed by the Board of Trade as Arbitrator in this dispute, pressed for a day to be fixed in order to begin the Arbitration sittings, and Thursday, 5th February, 1903, was agreed upon. The proceedings occupied seven days, one or two sittings taking place each week, and covered the history of the trade for nearly 20 years, diagrams and financial and statsical tables being rpepared and submitted by both sides. During the Arbitration Mr. Stewart visited the establishments of Messrs. Zaehnsdorf, W. Morrel and Co., J. Burn & Co., Ltd. and A. Straker & Son."
