The General Strike 1926
Some terminology
What is a strike?
When workers take action (in protest against working conditions and/or pay) by refusing to work. Workers are not paid by their employers while they strike, but may be paid by their unions.
What is a General Strike?
When a substantial proportion of the total labour force of a country takes part in strike action (refusing to work) in support of a particular group of workers or as a protest about wider work and pay conditions.
The 1926 General Strike is the only one which has ever taken place in the UK and was arguably the greatest ever mass mobilisation of the British Trade Union movement.
What is a lockout?
When an employer takes industrial action and stops workers from working or returning to work during a dispute.
The 1926 General Strike
A brief boom followed the end of the First World War but was quickly followed by serious recession.
By 1926 there were 1 million unemployed, wages were being cut and there had been a series of strikes. Trade Union membership had increased and there was a general feeling of dissatisfaction and unrest among working people.
The growing fear of revolution and the spread of communism was a significant factor in the build-up to the General Strike and influenced government preparations and the attitudes of Trade Union leaders.
Things were particularly bad in the coal mining industry which faced falling prices, reduced exports and outdated ways of working. Between 9 and 10% of all working age men in the UK were employed in the coal industry at this time. Mines which had been nationalised during the war had returned to private ownership in 1921. To reduce their costs the mine owners planned to cut miners’ wages and extend their working hours. The miners were led by A.J. Cook who was leader of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain from 1924. Cook was born in Wookey in Somerset, spent time working as a miner in Wales as a young man and was known for his passionate oratory and militant approach to industrial relations.
Recording of AJ Cook speaking in the 1920s about the state of the coal mining industry:
In 1925 the Coal Owners’ Association announced that they intended to reduce miners’ wages. The General Council of the TUC (Trade Union Congress) promised support to the miners in any dispute with the owners.
In July the Government intervened and agreed to subsidise miners’ wages for 9 months to avoid further unrest and to allow time for discussion. This delay also gave time for national and local government to prepare for large scale industrial action.
A Royal Commission chaired by Sir Herbert Samuel was also set up to look into the problems of the Mining Industry. In April 1926 the Royal Commission reported and the miners were offered a national settlement; an increase from 7 to 8 working hours per day and a wage cut of 13%.
The miners refused to accept the settlement.
AJ Cook’s slogan ‘Not a penny off the pay, not a minute on the day’ became a rallying cry for miners.
30 April 1926 Miners were locked out of mines by mine owners.
1 May Government declared a state of emergency (in 1926 almost all industries, transport and heating for people’s homes relied on coal).
TUC met and proposed a National General Strike from 1 minute to midnight on 3 May to include workers in transport, docks and railways, heavy industries, building trades, power stations and printers.
3 May About 1.5 million workers joined the 1 million locked out miners. Local trade groups provided local leadership and organisation.
7 – 10 May Increasing numbers of workers from different industries came out on strike. TUC negotiating committee continued to talk to Herbert Samuel and the government and came to an agreement which involved promise of future re-organisation of the mining industry. Although miners’ leaders rejected the offer, the TUC gave them an ultimatum; accept or carry on alone.
12 May TUC told the Prime Minister that the strike was over.
Other workers returned to work. Then miners felt betrayed and those who refused to accept the pay and conditions offered by the mine owners remained locked out. By the end of Nov 1926 all miners were forced to return to work by poverty and the threat of starvation.
Immediate results of strike
Widespread victimisation of returning strikers especially in railways and printing (many also lost their jobs).
New laws restricting strike action.
TUC embarked on change from conflict-based disputes to systems for discussion and mechanisms to resolve issues as quickly as possible.
Longer term impact
Helped shape the labour movement for the next 100 years.
Changed the relationship between workers, employers and government.
Reinforced the importance of Trade Unions as a collective voice for workers.
Since 1926 Trade Unions have won important rights for workers including:
- Paid holidays
- Safer workplaces
- Protection against unfair dismissal
- Maternity and parental rights
- National minimum wage.
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