THIS WEBSITE, THE BRIGHTON BRANCH OF A.S.L.E.&F.
HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO A NEW SITE CALLED
IGNITING THE FLAMING OF UNITY
http://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/1888.php
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO TRANSFER TO THIS NEW SITE
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE TO TAKE YOU
TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE THEIR WORKING LIVES
AMALGAMATION WITH THE OLD SOCIETY.
Sir,
A great deal has been said of late respecting the amalgamation of the Locomotive Steam Enginemen's and Firemen's Friendly
Society with the Associated So- ciety of Locomotive Engineers and Fire- men. Some members are very much opposed to the
amalgamation, while others are very much in favour of such a course, but, whichever side is taken, whether for or against, I
hope there will be no prejudice, but that each one will support that course which he thinks will most benefit his fellow-
workmen.
I hope that I shall not be presumptuous if I offer a few reasons why I think the amalgamation would be beneficial to all
concerned. In the first place what need is there for two societies for the same class of workmen when one is sufficient, and so
constituted that it will meet all the requirements of enginemen and firemen, whether as a Friendly Society or as a Trades’
Union.
Perhaps the answer will be, how can you expect us as members of the L.S.E. & F.F.S. to let you have our funds of £80,000
when you have no adequate amount of funds to- place alongside of it.
I would reply that we do not wish to- take any advantage of your funds, our object is solely this, to bring as far as possible the
whole body of locomotive enginemen and firemen in this country into one grand association, for the purpose of improving our
position as a body of responsible workmen, and by being combined in one grand organisation to be able to give each other
mutual support, either in sickness or old age, and to help the widow and orphans in the case of the death of a brother.
If prejudice can only be kept out of the way, and the amalgamation take place, the difficulties of arranging the funds can easily
be overcome, and with regard to the older members, they could remain as they are at present, paying the same contributions,
and receiving the same benefits as now. The younger members could, by paying a little more in contributions, become entitled
to the full benefits of the A. S. L. E. & F., and thereby become members of a Trades' Union and Friendly Society at the same
time.
The fact of there being no fund for the protection of our labour interests in the L. S. E. & F. F. S. was the cause of the A. S. L.
E. & F. being established, and since its establishment the progress made has quite reached the anticipations of the most
sanguine, its value per member is far greater than could have been reasonably expected in so short a time, and at the present
time such progress is being made as to warrant the anticipation that before long the majority of locomotive enginemen and
firemen in this country will be enrolled as members.
I would ask the members of L. S. E. & F. F. S. if they do not think it would be far better for them to be members of an
association that, in addition to giving relief in sickness, old age, and death, would be far better for them to members of such an
association, then I say at once support the amalgamation of the two societies, and let us become one grand organisation for
mutual help in cases, whether for Trades’ Union or Friendly Society purpose.
An army on the battle field, to be sucessful, must be directed, supported, and controlled, from one central body. The same
may be said of the great army of enginemen and firemen; there is weakness in divided authority and action, and if you wish to
be successful in defending or improving your labour interests, or for helping each other in Friendly Society matters, by far the
best result will be obtained by thorough combination.
In this country there are over 30,000 locomotive enginemen and firemen, and I think most men will see the great advantage to
all if we were all enrolled in one organisation. We should be able to obtain a respectful hearing from our employers, and also
get some attention paid to our appeals for reasonable concessions, where as, at the present time, if we offer to send a
deputation before them, with a view to coming to a better understanding with them in relation to our labour, we are very often
snubbed, and very discourteously turned from the door as if we were not endowed with common sense equally with
themselves.
The only way to merit respect from others is by having for ourselves, and I think a man cannot claim to have that resect for
himself he should have if he neglects to make provision for the protection of the interests of his labour, or his relief in
sickness.
What is the cause of so much sickness among our own class? I think it can clearly be traced to the want of provision for the
comfort of the men while at work, and the unreasonable number of hours men are compelled to remain on duty at one time.
Being exposed to the inclemency of the weather so many hours weakens the system, and often brings on severe colds, which
are admitted by all medical men to be the primary cause of most diseases.
This state of things could be remedied if men were thoroughly united in one organisation, we should be listened to respectfully
by our employers, and our recommendations would be acted on, our comforts would be studied, and our interests would be
protected.
This argument could be carried to a much greater length, but I think enough has been said to show the advantage of being
unites in one grand organisation. Therefore, I say, throw prejudice on one side, and look the object in the face, and support that
which will be most beneficial to us as fellow women, and I feel sure the majority will decide that the amalgamation of the two
societies will be the best means to attain the desired result.
To the Editor of A. S. L. E. and F. Monthly Journal.
Sir,— Allow me to congratulate you and the Society at large on the appearance of our Monthly Journal, which I trust may
have a long, useful, and brilliant career, and be the means of propagating the Society until we have the whole of the
enginemen of Great Britain within our ranks. It is some years since I first addressed the enginemen and firemen of the country
on the subject of amalgamation of the “two societies,” but nothing has come of it except that men will say it is a good thing if
it could be done, and there it is allowed to remain. I have not the figures near me, but I think there are over thirty thousand
enginemen and firemen on the railways of the United Kingdom, while there are not more than eleven or twelve thousand who
think it worth a thought to protect themselves by paying into a Society of their fellow workmen, the greater number pay into
the “Old Society,” which is pure and simple a friendly society, and a good one; a smaller number pay into the A.S.L.E. and F.,
or the New Society, whilst a yet much smaller number pay into the A.S.R.S., so that it is not two but three societies
enginemen, who are society men, try to keep up, whilst the great bulk of the men, some 18,000, are heedless alike of their own
and their fellows’ welfare. Is it any wonder we are continually reading of meetings on this line and the other, and of great
amount of dissatisfaction there is on various lines amongst loco. men? The resolutions that are passed, and the tall talk that is
indulged in, until the men, stung to madness by either real or fancied wrongs, commit themselves to a strike, as did our
brothers on the Midland a short time since, ill arranged and lacking that combination which would have insured success ; is it
any wonder that it should have collapsed and ruined hundreds, if not thousands, of comfortable homes, and cost the three
societies a good deal of their funds, as the strength of a chain is its weakest link, so with the non-society men of Great Britain
is the strength of the men ? Those men are our weak link, and, in my mind, very little stronger links in the chain are the men
who do not try all they can to join even the whole of the society men in one Society to protect your labour. It was the non-society
men who caused the Midland strike, it was they who ruined their brothers, it is they who are answerable for all the misery that
strike has entailed, and the effects of it will fall on them again, for other directors or high officials will try to make their lines
be worked cheaper than others, and knowing the divided state you are in and the apathy and cowardice of the greater number
of the men, will put the screw on until they make even the coldest blooded amongst you shriek out, meet resolute &c., until
you again sting the more manly amongst you to again resist, with the usual results, and so on to the end of the chapter. Then
why in Heaven's name cannot you see it is your own and pull together. I see in your first issue an article on. The Unemployed
Midland Railway Strikers,” and knowing that the Societies have done all they could for their members, leads me to ask what
has the enginemen and firemen of the United Kingdom done for those men, who, had they been successful, would have been
lauded to the skies, because it would have cost nothing but talk.
I have not heard that the enginemen, as a body, have felt in their breeches-pockets to help the poor fellows that have been
beaten in the strife; no doubt but the men would do it, but you have no organisation. Another reason why there should be only
one Society, and all should belong to it. This is the third time I have appealed to enginemen and firemen of the country to
amalgamate their Societies, and will keep pegging at it until I see it an accomplished fact.
I am. Sir,
To the Editor of A. S. L. E. & F. Monthly Journal
Sir, In reading the May issue of our Journal, I must say I felt grieved that none of your readers had taken up the question of the
Amalgamation of the two Societies of Enginemen and Firemen whilst I see some of your correspondents are writing able
letters on other matters, who, if they will only turn their attention to this, as being a question of the first and greatest
importance, will do more to advance themselves and their fellow work men than has ever yet been done. You men who are in
the north know the evil of being connected with a Society whose officials are not of yourselves. More I will not say to open up
a painful matter, but trust that in your next number some energetic member of the old Society will take the matter up and
ventilate the subject in a better manner than I have done.
An Old Engineman.
To the Editor of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen’s Journal.
Dear Sir,—I see your correspondent, "Old Engineman," in your last issue, feels grieved that no one took up the question of the
amalgamation of the two societies. I can assure him that as a member of both societies I should like to see so desirable a result
attained. I may also state that I believe that there are hundreds of members of the old society who are of the same opinion. But
I should like to state that there is still a large amount of prejudice against us in some men's minds. They are of opinion that we
wish to make ourselves rich at their expense. There would not be much difficulty in dispelling these prejudices if they would
face the question with calm unbiassed minds. That the time will come I have not a doubt, and it is the interest of members of
both societies that that the time should be hastened on when the amalgamation could be achieved. The question is asked, why
amalgamate? There are many reasons, of which the following are a few :—
(1) It would reduce friction, and tend to join the men in a common brotherhood ;
(2) We should be enabled through the old society to reach men whom it is not possible to reach now, because they hold aloof
from us;
(3) We could practise greater economy, as the management would be curtailed;
(4) The old society would gain, from the fact that the branches would be increased, as the Associated has planted branches in
districts where the old society has never reached.
There are many others, but I think this will suffice for the present; what has been already stated, if the members will only take
the matter up, and state their views on the subject and enlarge upon them, is quite sufficient to enable us to form an intelligent
opinion on this important question. I would earnestly hope that this question may receive the earnest consideration of the
members of both societies, and be met in the right spirit, actuated for the common good of all the members. One word to the
old men; depend upon it the young men who are rising up at the present time are watching your action in this matter they, the
majority, are fully alive to their own interests, and know if they are to rise to your position there must be a strong organisation,
and they are looking to the Associated for succour and support.
As one who loves the old society, and full of hope for the newer one, allow me to sign myself,
A Member of Both Societies
THE AMALGAMATION OF THE ASSOCIATED SOCIETY WITH
THE OLD STEAM ENGINEMEN AND FIREMEN’S SOCIETY.
AMALGAMATION WITH THE OLD SOCIETY.
Sir,—To those who are so anxious for the amalgamation of the old and new Societies, I would ask them, first, their objects? I
suppose they are to put the old Society on a similar basis to the new one. Assuming such to be the case, I would remind them
that in any event the mem- bers of the old Society would have to be balloted for their votes, pro and con. I also ask them to
compare the composition of the two Societies, and I think it will be found that whilst the Associated have made overtures to
them, and are nearly to a man in favour of the amalgamation, the old Society members are composed of various factions, some
who are no doubt in favour of combination, but others who have offered us a determined resistance for what reason I am at a
loss to know, as we only seek the combination from a desire to see the condition of enginemen and firemen improved, and not
from a mercenary motive ; and I am of opinion that the Associated members must keep on expounding and advocating its
principles until the opposing element of the old Society are enabled to perceive that we are established upon a firm basis, and
in harmony with the requirements of the times, whilst their's falls far short of them. That being accomplished, there will be
little difficulty in bringing about the amalgamation, as the question of finance could easily be equitably adjusted.
AMALGAMATION WITH E. AND F. SICK BENEFIT SOCIETY.
Sir,—I see in your last issue a letter from “J. H., Manchester,” on the above subject, and although friend J. H. answers his own
TO THE ENGINEMEN AND FIREMEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Fellow “Workmen,
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen was formed eight years ago, and is making rapid strides. It was
established in order to give greater security to our labour, and to prevent our employers from taking advantage of our
disorganised condition. Experience has proved that we could have our grievances redressed if we were a thoroughly organised
body, and thereby raise ourselves to that position to which our responsible duties entitle us. We know that men have striven for
years to improve their position by appealing to superintendents and directors, with results that are but too well known, and we
have only to instance the Midland dispute to illustrate our meaning. But how different might those results have been had all
Enginemen and Firemen been bound in one common brotherhood, for not only is it necessary that we should prepare for
sickness, old age, and death, but that we should also be afforded protection in our labour ; for so great and arduous are the
duties to which Enginemen and Firemen are called upon to perform, and their responsibilities so great, that the most careful
men are liable to accidents, which may result in their being indicted for manslaughter. Why, then, should you pay away your
hard-earned savings in obtaining legal defence, when you may belong to a Society which will provide you with legal
assistance, in addition to other trade protection benefits, for the sum of fourpence per week ? Surely the result of the
Hexthorpe trial, in which the driver and fireman (both members of our Society) were implicated, ought to be an inducement to
Enginemen and Firemen to join our Society, for we believe that had it not been for the valuable assistance rendered them by our
Association, which is composed of Enginemen and Firemen only, whose interests and sympathies were identical with the
accused, it would have been more difficult to have established the men's innocence, but owing to the practical experience of
the officers of our Association, they were enabled to point out the imperfections of the system under which the men were
working, which could not have been so lucidly explained by men unacquainted with the calling of Enginemen and Firemen. We
hope you will therefore, recognize in our Society a long-felt want supplied, and come and join us. Our Schedule of
Contributions and Benefits will be found on the second page of cover of this publication.
T. G. SUNTER,
General Secretary.
THE BRIGHTON BRANCH OF A.S.L.E.&F. WEBSITE.
HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO A NEW SITE CALLED
IGNITING THE FLAMING OF UNITY
https://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW
TO TRANSFER TO THIS NEW SITE
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE TO TAKE YOU
TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
https://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/
THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE
HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE
THEIR WORKING LIVES
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE TO TAKE YOU
TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
https://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/
THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE
HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE
THEIR WORKING LIVES