A meeting of combworkers was held last night in the hall, Littlejohn Street, for the purpose of ventilating the grievances of what are known as the “twin-cutters” at the works of Messrs S.R. Stewart & Co., Hutcheon ‘Street, who are at present out on strike against the introduction into the shop of a certain kind of work at a lower rate of payment than they are willing to accept.

There was a large attendance, and amongst those present were Mr Bisset, president of the Trades Council, and Mr J. C. Thompson. From the statements made at the meeting it seems that for some time past much dissatisfaction has existed in the minds of the “twin-cutters” with regard to the conditions under which they work. They are on piece, but they state that they are bound by engagement for a month; that their employers keep in hand always a fortnight’s wages; that they are fined if absent from work at the rate of 4d an hour; that at holiday times they are not paid the money due to them; and that the scale of prices is cut down at any time without their consent, and that they are not made aware of it until they receive their wages.

These seem to be the principal complaints of the men, but these “grievances” are not directly responsible for their present action. About three weeks ago one or two of the cutters were offered a certain kind of work at a rate of payment which did not meet with approval in the shop. A consultation was held, which resulted in these men refusing to do the work at that price. They were told that they must do the work at the price fixed or go.

A deputation was sent to the manager, bu the men say no attempt was made to come to an amicable settlement. The work was sent to the shop as before at the objectionable rate of payment, and the cutters were told that it they did not accede to these terms they need not come back. Accordingly they left their employment in a body.

At the meeting last night representatives of eight other departments of the works were present, and stated that each “shop” was ready to support the cutters to the utmost of their ability. One of the representatives said that it appeared to him that one half of the cutters  had got their wages and one half had not. Was not the firm bound to pay the other half?

The Chairman said that it was a fact that Messrs Stewart had paid one half their wages and forfeited the wages of the other half. The object of this he believed, was to divide the men, in the hope that those who had not got their wages would come straggling back to seek their wages and their work. According to their engagement, if they left their work without notice their wages were forfeited.

The various matters under discussion having been thoroughly thrashed out, the Chairman called upon Mr Bisset, and afterwards Mr Thompson to address the meeting. The former said that he believed the men has substantial grievance, but whatever the result of the present dispute was, it ought to teach them never to bind themselves by engagement again. When they did that they lost their independence.

The meeting sat in private.

Source : Aberdeen Journal, August 1886