WORKERS IN BYGONE DAYS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 19 April 1934, Page 11

WORKERS IN BYGONE DAYS

As long ago as 135 G London Stonemasons, to secure the distinction between masters and journeymen, made a rule forbidding any-member to undertake jobs ‘fin gross,” unless four guarantors pledged themselves to finish tlie work should the undertaker lack ability to complete the contract. In 1490 there was at Worcester an ordinance that “the tylers of the citie sett no parliament among them . . . . that every carpenter not being a master of the said craft may hereafter paclie, clowt, or repare any old house” when called upon bv “eny cytizen without agreement made witli the steward of the said craft.” In the Middle Ages Coventry abounded in crafts and fraternies of journeymen. The crafts were composed of the employers who watched with a jealous eye any attempt of the fraternies to establish closer unions. The workmen were required to take their rules for the inspection of the mayor. In 1517 we find that the daubers and rough masons were refused permission to form a fellowship, or union, as we should call it to-day, aud were henceforth to he common labourers “and to take such wages as are limited by statute.” They were better off than the journeymen cappers, whose 12liour day in 1520 was, notwithstanding their protest, increased to 14 hours in summer, the employers later being empowered to “abridge their wages” if the men failed to work the long hours.

eye any attempt of the fraternies to establish closer unions. The workmen ( were required to take their rules for 1 the inspection of the mayor. In 1517 s we find that the daubers and rough c masons were refused permission to ; form a fellowship, or union, as we ] should call it to-day, aud were lienee- c forth to he common labourers “and to j take such wages as are limited by j statute.” They were better off than | the journeymen cappers, whose 12- j hour day ill 1520 was, notwithstanding ( their protest, increased to 14 hours in c summer, the employers later being eni- j powered to “abridge their wages” if t the men failed to work the long hours, j