The General Strike 1926
This section explains the lead up and implications of the General Strike in1926. The General Strike of 1926 was one of the most significant industrial disputes in British history. It was the result of growing tensions between the government, mine owners, and trade unions, particularly the miners' unions. The strike was triggered by a combination of economic pressures, particularly within the coal mining industry, and the actions of the government and mine owners. Although the strike lasted only nine days, it had a profound impact on the British working class, the Labour movement, and the role of trade unions in British society.
Causes of the General Strike
Post-War Economic Conditions:
After the First World War, Britain faced significant economic challenges. During the war, there had been a high demand for coal and goods produced by Britain's factories, leading to the nationalisation of coal mines and the establishment of higher wages for workers. However, following the end of the war in 1918, demand for coal plummeted, causing the price of coal to drop.
- Return to Private Ownership: The government returned the coal mines to private ownership after the war, and mine owners, facing financial difficulties, sought to reduce their costs by lowering wages and increasing working hours.
- Technological Changes: New technologies and machinery were introduced to increase efficiency in the mines, resulting in many miners losing their jobs as fewer workers were needed to operate the mines.
- The 1921 Strike: In April 1921, miners were informed that they would have to work longer hours for less pay. The miners called a strike, but the Trades Union Congress (TUC) could not gather sufficient support from other industries, leading to the strike being called off.
1925 Coal Price Drop:
In 1925, coal prices fell even further, and the mine owners announced another reduction in pay and working conditions. To prevent a repeat of the 1921 strike, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin agreed to provide a subsidy to miners' wages for a period of nine months.
- Subsidy Ends: When the subsidy came to an end in April 1926, the TUC and miners faced the prospect of further cuts to their wages and working conditions. This led the TUC to call for a General Strike in support of the miners, hoping to gain leverage from a wider coalition of workers.
The TUC’s Actions
The Trades Union Congress (TUC), a coalition of trade unions, called for a General Strike starting on 3 May 1926. The strike was intended to show solidarity with the miners and to put pressure on the government and mine owners to improve pay and conditions.
- Broad Support: The initial support for the strike came from over 800,000 miners. The strike quickly spread to include other sectors of the economy, including dockers, railway workers, and those working in the iron and steel industries.
- Disruption: As more industries joined the strike, the country ground to a halt. Public transport was disrupted, deliveries of food and goods were stopped, and essential services like electricity and postal services were severely impacted. The strike escalated as the TUC called for more industries to join.
- Communication: The TUC also set up its own newspaper, The British Worker, to explain the strikers' cause and maintain morale. Pickets were established across key locations to prevent workers from crossing the picket lines.
Government Response to the General Strike
The British government had anticipated the General Strike and prepared for it over several months.
- Preparation: The government set aside £10,000 (worth approximately £518,000 in 2024) and other resources to deal with the strike, knowing it would need to take decisive action to prevent widespread unrest.
- Use of the Military: To ensure the continuation of essential services, the government mobilised the army and navy. Soldiers and volunteers were brought in to keep the docks open, move goods, and operate essential services like transport. In addition, armoured cars were used to transport police forces to key strike locations to prevent disruption and control picket lines.
- Public Support Campaign: The government also launched a counter-propaganda campaign, using its own newspaper, The British Gazette, to depict the strikers as attempting to overthrow the government and destabilise society. This played a crucial role in winning public support for the government and shifting public opinion against the strike.
The End of the General Strike
The General Strike lasted for just nine days before the TUC was forced to call it off.
- Reasons for Ending the Strike: The main reasons for ending the strike were:
- Lack of Funds: The TUC had run out of money to continue supporting the strikers and their families.
- Public Opinion: Public support for the strike had dwindled, as the disruption to daily life grew more severe.
- Violence: Clashes between strikers and police had escalated, alarming the leadership of the TUC, which wanted to avoid further violence.
- Outcome: The government offered only minor improvements to the miners' pay and conditions, but the miners continued their strike until November 1926. Eventually, they were forced to accept longer hours and lower pay than before the strike, marking a defeat for the unions.
Impacts of the General Strike
The General Strike had significant short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts on the British labour movement and the role of trade unions in society.
Short-term impacts:
- The strike ended in defeat for the TUC, with the miners accepting worse pay and conditions.
- The reputation of the TUC was damaged, and the unions were temporarily weakened by the failure of the strike.
- The government’s firm handling of the strike and its ability to gain public support weakened the power of trade unions.
Medium-term impacts:
- Despite the failure of the General Strike, trade unions began to recover in the years following World War II. By the 1970s, unions were once again powerful, and industrial action, including strikes, became common in British society.
Long-term impacts:
- The General Strike led to increased government regulation and legislation concerning industrial relations and workers’ rights.
- It also contributed to a shift in public perception of the unions, with many viewing them as a powerful but disruptive force in society.
Development of Workers’ Rights in the Post-War Era
In the years following the General Strike, significant changes occurred in the relationship between the government and trade unions, as well as in the rights of workers.
- 1940s: After the Second World War, the Labour government introduced the Trades Disputes and Trade Unions Act, which gave unions greater power and freedom.
- 1950s-1960s: Full employment and a strong economy led to better relations between unions and the government. Wages were high, and the power of the unions was firmly established.
- 1970s: The economic recession led to large-scale strikes, culminating in the Winter of Discontent (1978-79), when public sector strikes caused widespread disruption, including power cuts and rubbish piling up in the streets.
- 1980s: Under Margaret Thatcher’s government, the power of the unions was severely challenged. The Employment Acts of 1980 and 1982 restricted union activities, and the Miners' Strike of 1984-85 ended in defeat for the unions, marking the beginning of a decline in union power.
- 1984: The Trade Union Act passed by Thatcher’s government made it more difficult for unions to call strikes, requiring 80% of union members to approve a strike for it to be legal. As a result, union membership declined, and the power of the unions was broken.
Conclusion
The General Strike of 1926 was a key moment in British history, highlighting the power of organised labour and the lengths to which both the government and unions would go to protect their interests. Although the General Strike ended in defeat for the unions, it sparked significant changes in industrial relations, and the power of the unions would continue to play a major role in British politics throughout the 20th century. The aftermath of the strike and the developments that followed, particularly under the Thatcher government, marked a turning point in the history of the British labour movement.