The General Strike 1926

The General Strike 1926

1. The Strike - Basic Facts

   • 2.5 million peoplefrom all about the UK, from different companies
   • Between Trade Unions and the Government
     • Trade Unions called it off - admitted defeat
     • Trade Unions included: The Triple Industrial Alliance (miners, transport workers and railwaymen) , Trade Union Congress(represents most trade unions in the country)
       • 1921 attempted strike/ Black Friday - The TIA tried striking but only lasted a minute as J.H. Thomas (leaders of railway union) backed out.
   • First time someone stood up against the government
   • Reasons included: Problems between miners and mine owners about pay, conditions and hours

2. Reasons Behind the General Strike

   • Too much coal being used in WW1 and there is a small amount left.
     • Expensive to pay for coal so government pay miners less
     • Low coal levels = less jobs in the coal industry
   • Coal production at its lowest point ever
     • Less exportation = less profit
     • Miners lose their jobs and government get no more money
     • Miners paid less as not enough coal is being produced
   • Miner owners wanted all the money during times of economic instability
     • More miners = more coal
     • Had to lower profit to get more workers to give them lower profit percentage

3. Government Tactics

   • After the TIA threatened to go on strike again, the government has to think about tactics
   • Government gave private owners money to pay their workers for 9 months
     • This was done in fear of another strike like the Russian Revolution of 1917
     • This made the miners think they can over view the Government

4. Events of the General Strike

   • Random people walked out of the job
     • TUC wanted less important people to leave first, then health workers
     • No one went by the plans
     • Plan backfired
   • Growth of the Strike
     • Strikers tried stop the OMS volunteers and police from interfering with strike.
     • Violence took place in London, Glasgow and Newcastle
     • 5000 people were arrested
     • Government made striking illegal
   • Last Days of Strike
     • Police couldn't control areas
     • TUC backed out of strike after unions were set up to orginise strike
       • They didn't want a revolution
       • They left the miners t strike themselves. May-November
     • Strikers never got their jobs back
       • 1/3 of miners left their jobs
       • Isolated from society
       • thought strike was pointless