Farewell 'Ol Butt': The End of the Butty System in the Forest of Dean
Key Insights
What was the Butty System?: A system where a 'buttyman' contracted with the colliery owner to extract coal from a specific section ('stall'). The buttyman hired his own team (day-men and boys) and was paid per ton of coal produced.
Worker Relations:: While some buttymen fostered loyalty, the system inherently created divisions, potential for exploitation (especially of boys), and competition between buttymen for the best work areas.
Union Role:: The Forest of Dean Miners Association (FDMA) supported buttymen in negotiations but also played a crucial role in the system's eventual abolition, led by figures like John Williams and Wallace Jones.
Mechanisation & Opposition:: The introduction of machinery in the late 1920s/30s began undermining the system, but internal opposition from miners, who saw buttymen as managers suppressing wages, was key to its end.
The Eastern United Showdown (1937-38):: This colliery was the last bastion of the system. A ballot showed overwhelming support for abolition (336 vs. 46), but management resisted, leading to strike threats before finally conceding.
Why this matters:: The end of the butty system marked a shift towards more standardised employment practices, reduced potential for direct exploitation within work teams, and strengthened the collective bargaining power of ordinary miners through their union.
In-Depth Analysis
The Butty System: A Forest of Dean Tradition
For over a century, the Forest of Dean's coal mines operated under the 'butty system'. Colliery managers allocated sections of the coal seam to buttymen, who then employed their own teams. Payment was tonnage-based, negotiated individually by the buttyman with the owner, often backed by the FDMA. This contrasted with 'company men' employed directly by the owners for other tasks.
Team sizes varied; at Eastern United Colliery near Ruspidge in the 1920s, teams ranged from four to nine men. While camaraderie existed, the potential for unfair treatment and abuse, particularly of young workers, was a dark aspect. The system also fostered competition among buttymen.
Seeds of Change: Mechanisation and Miner Discontent
The late 1920s and 1930s saw the introduction of mechanical coal-cutters and conveyors. This new technology, often controlled by company officials, naturally eroded the buttymen's traditional role. However, a growing sentiment among ordinary miners viewed the buttymen less as fellow workers and more as intermediaries who profited while keeping their wages low.
Figures like John Williams, the FDMA agent (1922-1953), and Wallace Jones, an ex-buttyman turned union activist at Eastern United, became pivotal in challenging the system. Williams noted that even buttymen felt squeezed as negotiated rates declined.
The Final Stand at Eastern United
By 1938, Eastern United, owned by Henry Crawshay and Co., was the last Forest colliery using the butty system. Union presence was weak, with management allegedly using buttymen as informants. Williams and Jones organised a mass meeting in late 1937, finding widespread dissatisfaction.
A decisive ballot confirmed the desire for abolition. Despite this, management employed delaying tactics and sacked Jones and two others. The FDMA Executive threatened strike action in February 1938.
Facing a walkout, the company agreed to abolish the system but initially refused to re-employ the sacked activists. Further negotiations, detailed by Williams at a packed Miners’ Welfare Hall meeting on March 5th, 1938, finally secured victory, ending the butty system in the Forest of Dean.
The abolition highlighted how the system, once perhaps beneficial to skilled buttymen, had become outdated and unpopular, ultimately succumbing to internal pressure led by former proponents like Wallace Jones.
FAQs
What does 'ow butt' mean?
It's a term of endearment used in the Forest of Dean, originating from the 'butty system' where miners worked closely in teams led by a 'buttyman'.
Was the butty system unique to the Forest of Dean?
While subcontracting existed elsewhere, the specific 'butty system' described, with its structure and local terminology, was characteristic of the Forest of Dean coalfield.
Who were the key figures in ending the system?
Key figures included FDMA agent John Williams and miner/activist Wallace Jones, who organised workers at the Eastern United Colliery.
Key Takeaways
The end of the butty system represents a significant moment in local labour history, marking a move away from subcontracting towards direct employment and standardised wages in the mines.
It underscores the importance of collective action and union representation (like the FDMA) in achieving better working conditions and fairer pay structures.
The story serves as a reminder of how systems can outlive their usefulness and how internal pressure from workers themselves can drive fundamental change.
Discussion
The legacy of the butty system lives on in local dialect. Does understanding its history change how you view the phrase 'ow butt'? Let us know your thoughts!
Share this article with others interested in local history or the evolution of working practices!
Sources & References
Source: Pages from History: The end of the butty system in the Forest of Dean (theforester.co.uk)
*Note: Article based on research by Ian Wright for the New Regard, journal of the Forest of Dean Local History Society.*
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