BUILDING work in Malvern ground to a halt a century ago as men downed tools over a pay dispute.

"The carpenters, plasterers, stonemasons, bricklayers and labourers of Malvern struck work on Monday morning owing to the introduction by the masters of a different time rate, one which is in use in Worcester," explained the Gazette.

"The men claim that the introduction of the Worcester time entitles them to a halfpenny an hour more, but the masters contend that under the old rule the men were liable to be put on three-quarter time, whereas under the new, they pledge that the men shall have constant employment throughout the winter months.

"The masters thought that this concession was of far more benefit to the workmen than the extra d per hour, especially as they were not obliged to guarantee jobs throughout the winter."

A representative of the Bricklayers' Society told the Gazette that the new rules had been imposed unilaterally by the masters and that is why the men came out on strike.

He said: "The building trade is very brisk in Malvern at the moment and there are several works which must be carried out in a specified time.

"There are, in Malvern, about 40 trades union men connected with various societies and the strike affects about 400, who receive 15s per week during the strike from their various societies."

Industrial action clearly worked in this case, since before the week was out the master builders agreed to meet the men and a compromise was hammered out between them.