OUR historic photo today shows how labour-intensive it was to be a chaff-cutter. Contractors are seen here with chaff-cutting teams unloading bags for the Garments Produce store in Howick Street in 1914.
There was unrest in the industry in February 1914, with newspaper headlines such as “Trouble amongst chaff-cutters”. There were problems among the chaff-cutters employed in the Bathurst district, which had reached an acute stage earlier than expected.
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It had been stated that at one farm the previous day, a number of men did not turn up to work at all. Whether the absentees were merely having a holiday or intending not to work until the union claims had been considered was definitely unknown.
However, there appeared to be a certain amount of fairness among the men generally, and it was expected that some action would be taken before the end of the week.
The men were advised not to consider doing anything rash and to wait until the question of their conditions was taken before the Arbitration Court. Some men ignored this advice and the men on certain machines had struck.
The men were conceded some of their claims and were considering returning, however, the settlement of the chaff-cutting dispute at Bathurst was short-lived and the situation became more serious than ever. After resuming, the men had struck before the end of the day.
The farmers feared the worst as it could spread statewide and expected all chaff-cutters to go out. The action of the strikers was quite unexpected, as they had stated previously that they would see the season through.
The men were making from £4/10/- to £6 per week, and leading farmers said that rather than concede the men’s demands, they would run their plants into the yard and keep them there.
The Sydney Morning Herald carried articles on the “position at Bathurst” as well as Junee and Coolamon.
It informed readers that: “It is now regarded as unlikely that all the Bathurst district chaff-cutters will abide by the decision to strike arrived at by a meeting of the men on Saturday night. Mr. D. Hamilton, the organiser, expressed himself as unable to make any forecast concerning the great majority of the men.”
At the time, it was the opinion of several prominent Bathurst farmers that not more than five or six chaff-cutting machines would cease work. There were approximately 20 chaff-cutting machines around Bathurst, but the majority, it was believed, would continue working regardless of any action the minority might take. Of the five or six machines referred to, the employers of two were considered likely to concede to the union demands.
Besides these, the only two threshing machines in the district, employing between 30 and 35 men, were almost certain to cease work. It was understood that members of the Farmers and Settlers’ Association would assist each other.
By February 13, a special meeting had been called. It was well-attended and the men decided on a strike, however, with such a difference of opinion, many were expected to disregard the call. Despite this, it was expected that there would be sufficient men to throw the majority of the plants idle.
One prominent owner stated that if it meant the stoppage of his plant for 12 months, he would not accede to the demands. If the men did not accept the conditions under which they started the season, he would work the plant with the assistance of others.
He had sufficient chaff already cut to keep him going for some time, and the shortage of trucks was a far greater difficulty to contend against than any action taken by the men.
By February 20, there were a number of newspapers reporting that “the chaff-cutters’ strike at Bathurst” had collapsed and work had resumed.
