Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

4. The 16:20 Preston to Accrington train would be retimed to depart at 16:10. 5. The 05:40 Accrington to Colne would operate on all weekdays rather than just Mondays & Thursdays. 6. A new train would operate between Salford and Accrington at 22:50 on Thursdays and Saturdays. 7. The 23:15 Saturdays only Salford – Accrington would be discontinued. The tender from the firm of John Thompson of Cheetham Hill in Manchester was accepted for the construction of the second of the Accrington’s engine sheds. This was for the sum of £6,243 but later they reneged on the contract by claiming they had made a mistake in their estimates. So the Accrington firm of Clegg & Riley stepped in with their estimate of £6,150 and were awarded the work. This shed further to the west had brick walls, a pitched roof and six through roads. The offices were on one side of this edifice, which later would be superseded by the third and last engine shed. ( This structure then became a carriage cleaning and maintenance shed for rolling stock, and later for Diesel Multiple Units. ) December The 160 employees of the Blackburn Goods Station went out on strike for an increase in wages. An offer of an extra 1 shilling per week was made to employees with over twelve months’ service, who were then earning 18 or 19 shillings per week, but this was rejected as they wanted 2 shillings. This offer was modified to include those with over six months’ service, as Mr Mitchell, the Goods Manager, had no authority to advance wages beyond 20 shillings per week. The General Goods Manager of the L & Y was summoned from Manchester, and he then offered an extra 1 shilling per week with a reduction from 60 hours to 57 hours in the working week. Several days’ worth of merchandise had accumulated before the men had returned to work. Meanwhile the staff in Accrington had been monitoring the situation with interest. 1872 January On Sunday the 29 th , Accrington’s Railway Guards were in attendance at a meeting held in the Free Trade Hall in Manchester. The purpose was to gain support for a reduction in their working day from 12 hours to 10, along with an extra 2/6d increase in wages. It was suggested that the London & North Western and the Midland Railways, had shown a conciliatory tone with demands, with any time above 8 hours being paid at overtime rates. A resolution was passed, that all of the Guards on the L & Y would resign. On the following day a representative from Accrington was amongst a deputation who met with Mr Thornley, the Traffic Manager of the company at Victoria Station, for the purpose of handing over the resignations of these 400 employees, including Guards and Firemen. After an hour and a half of discussions, Mr Thornley gave an undertaking that at the next meeting of the directors on the 17 th of February he would advance the following scales of pay - 1. Guards in their first year 22 shillings per week. 2. Guards in their second year 23 shillings per week. 3. Guards in their third year 25 shillings per week, and 27 shillings per week thereafter. 4. For taking charge of a passenger train in their first year 28 shillings per week rising to 30 shillings per week after seven years. However, he would not concede to a demand for overtime after 8 hours work in a day, but they would be paid at time-and-a-half for Sunday working, including any hours worked after midnight on a Saturday shift. It was resolved to await the outcome of this directors meeting before doing anything more, but they stressed they would not accept any compromises. On the 20 th following the meeting of the directors of the L & Y, Mr Thornley informed the area managers of the Company, that the following rates would be offered to the employees - 1. To Under-guards of goods trains 22 shillings per week in their first year. 2. To Under-guards of goods trains 23 shillings per week in their second year. 3. To Under-guards of goods trains 25 shillings per week in their third year, and to remain on these rates when in charge of a pilot engine or a recovery train. 4. After taking charge of a passenger train in the first year, 27 shillings per week. 5. After taking charge of a passenger train in the second and third years, 28 shillings per week. 6. After taking charge of a passenger train in the fourth year and thereafter 30 shillings per week. 7. The working week to remain at 60 hours, but all hours in excess of this to be paid as overtime. 8. For shifts extending from Saturdays into Sundays no extra pay, but all Sunday working to be paid at time-and-a-half.

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