Royal Ordnance Story

National Projectile & National Ordnance Factory Institutions

Works Committee

A works Committee was set up in January, 1917 to act as a connecting link between the Management and the Workpeople. It was felt that, as discontent in Workshops usually sprang from lack of knowledge or misunderstanding, if a body could get together which would truly represent the various sections of the factory, it would keep the Workpeople in closer and more regular touch with the Management, and so prevent petty grievances growing, through lack of ventilation or misunderstanding, into serious trouble.

The committee originally consisted of seven men and four women, each department elected its own representatives in proportion to its numbers. The committee was later reconstituted, and it was arranged that all Shop Stewards should automatically be members of it together with non Trades' Union Representatives and women. The committee has no executive powers. Its function is to receive and consider suggestions from any employee as to the general comfort and welfare of the Workpeople. The suggestions which are considered sound are put forward by the committee to the management, who attend meetings when asked to do so.

The committee has undoubtedly proved its value and has helped, in a considerable degree, to prevent serious labour troubles, and it has become an accepted procedure in the Works that all grievances should be brought forward to the Management through the committee, instead of by individuals.

Apprenticeship Scheme and Boys' Welfare

A comprehensive Scheme of Apprenticeship, instituted with the object of giving every lad a sound training has now been in operation for a long time. Lads are admitted generally under the age of sixteen, but in special cases, later. The apprentices are not bound or indentured in any way. In the Workshop a thorough course of training in all, branches is provided for Mechanical engineering, electrical, plumbing and carpentering apprentices. A definite curriculum covering a period of five years is laid down.

Great importance is attached to a technical and general training, and special courses are arranged with the Local Education Authorities. For the purpose of these classes the lads are divided into four grades, according to age and ability. The School Curriculum is designed with the purpose of continuing the, in many cases neglected elementary education, and of making the lads good citizens. Subjects covered are:

English
Geography
Literature
Citizenship
Mathematics
Technical Drawing
Experimental Science
Principles underlying Workshop practic

The lads attend Evening Classes eight hours per week. All class fees are paid for by the factory, and time, which is paid for, is allowed off to those who attend. Lads showing more than average ability are given a special training with the idea of fitting them for administrative posts, and have an opportunity of going on and taking courses at the Local University College, where fees are also paid for them.

A system of reports from Superintendents and Foremen, and from the Evening Schools, is in force by means of which a complete history of every lad is kept. The lads' Welfare Supervisor is in charge of the whole scheme; he interviews and engages all candidates for apprenticeship, investigates complaints and examines cases of suggested dismissals. He looks after the proper training of the lads both in the shop and at school, and keeps in touch with their Foremen and Instructors. By means also of quarterly reports and visits, he keeps the parents informed as to their performance. He also looks after their sports and recreation.

Women's Welfare and Canteens

The welfare of the female employees is catered for by a fully organised department under the Welfare Supervisor and experienced assistants. All engagements and discharges of women go through that department.

A well equipped ambulance room is provided and a trained nurse is always on duty.

Two canteens adjoining the factory are provided, where good meals at a moderate price can be obtained by the workpeople. The large canteen provides accommodation for 1200 people at a sitting. The smaller canteen is divided into two parts, one forming a staff mess room and the other a reading and smoking room for men. Concerts, in the canteen, were given every week during night shift meal hours, with talent from the factory, and collections made for War Charities. The canteens are superintended by a Manageress appointed by the factory management. There is also an Advisory committee on which sits the chairman of the Works Committee, the women's and boys' Welfare Supervisors, and other representatives of the workpeople who deal with all complaints, questions of food prices, service, etc.

Sports Club and Institute

The Sports Club has been in existence for 2 years. One of the best grounds in Nottingham, close to Trent Bridge, was obtained on a yearly lease. Membership is open to all members of the factory at a subscription of 4s for men, 2s 6d for women and 2s 6d for boys.

The various sections, which are each run by a small sub-committee responsible to the General Committee, are:

Cricket
Football
Tennis
Hockey
Swimming
Boating
Cycling
Rifle shooting
Fishing
Bowls
Boxing

An athletic sports meeting has been held each year on the ground, and Whist drives and dances arranged in the canteen.

The Institute, which was a later creation, dating from March, 19l8, caters only for men, owing to the impossibility of obtaining a sufficiently large building to accommodate women as well. A large house with a good garden was obtained in the Park as Club premises on a yearly lease. The objects of the Institute were to provide a meeting place and means of recreation for those who did not participate in outdoor sports, and further to help, by means of classes and lectures during the Winter, those men who wished to improve their own education.

Subscriptions were fixed at 1s per month, or 12s. per annum. The accommodation provided consists of a large reading room, in which there are newspapers and a piano, a library with a good supply of books, two billiard rooms with, full sized tables, and a card room and lecture room. Classes have been provided in Machine Drawing and Mathematics, and further courses in such subjects as Industrial History and Political Economy are to be arranged.

War Savings Association

A War Savings Association has been in existence over two years and is currently controlled by a committee representative of all sections of the works. All business is transacted through the War Savings Office, where a small staff is engaged in collecting savings, issuing certificates , etc. Money has been collected either through this office, authorised collectors or by voluntary stoppage from pay, the latter procedure having steadily increased in popularity. The total amount of savings collected up to the end of 1918 amounted to £35000. The membership of the Association reached 59% of the people employed in the factory.

Work Magazine

A factory magazine "The Camel" has been published for over 2 years. It is produced monthly and sold at 2d per copy, and is self-supporting. The circulation of the paper was good and served a useful purpose in fostering the "family spirit". The main features are, an article on some topical subject, a cartoon, factory chat, a page for apprentices, Sports Club doings, stories, factory news, etc.

Tool Club

A Tool Club was started in February, 1918, for the purpose of giving workmen and apprentices all opportunity of purchasing precision and other instruments at cost price and on easy terms. The Club, with a membership of 236, purchased £416 worth of goods up to the end of 1918, and, taking into account the great difficulty of obtaining tools, has been very successful.

Ambulance and Fire Brigade

The Factory possessed, in addition to two ambulance rooms which were fitted out with necessary First Aid Appliances, a well trained Ambulance Brigade, recruited from amongst the workpeople consisting of ten men and ten women on each shift. An efficient Fire Brigade has been in existence, well equipped with all necessary fire fighting appliances. The Brigade is formed of ten men from out of the Works. A system of fire alarms is arranged throughout the factory with an indicator board at the Firms Brigade Headquarters.