1884-09-11ajj Workers' Grievance, Spectator Intervention

“A deputation of the men working for the corporation, in the removal of road metal, called at the Spectator office today.”

Hamilton Spectator. September 11, 1884.

It was noteworthy that a group of workingmen appeared unannounced at the office of the Hamilton Spectator. The men were employed by “the corporation”, (the City of Hamilton municipality) and they had a grievance.

The decision had been made that a great way to communicate their issue was through the publicity which the newspaper could generate.

The Hamilton City Council had made some changes to the timing of the payment to the men :

“The council passed a resolution to pay the men weekly. The money should have been paid on Tuesday; but was not.”¹

¹ “They Are Grateful”

Hamilton Spectator.   September 11, 1884.

The workers depended heavily on their wages and non-payment of what was due was a problem

“This matter caused much inconvenience to the men, and the families of some of them suffered in consequence.”¹

Rather than simply just publicizing the workers’ plight, the Spectator editor sent one of his reporters to City Hall and see what could be done to rectify the problem:

“Alderman Tuckett was told of the matter, and he assured the men if they did not get the money from the corporation soon, he would pay it himself.”¹

The strategy of the men approaching the Spectator with their grievance, plus the intervention by the Spectator with elected officials proved successful immediately:

“They got the money, and desire to express their thanks to Mr. Tuckett for interesting himself in their behalf.”

The alderman’s acknowledgement of the legitimacy of the workers’ issue, backed by his stated commitment to cover the money’s owed personally if needed, was enough to shake the complacency of City Hall employees in the Finance section to live up to the council’s commitment.