The General Strike 1926

The General Strike 1926

1. Debate

   • General - Baldwin played a waiting game as he knew it was a strike about the constitution not industry so waited for it to be called off to negotiate. He also ran emergency plans made months earlier such as volunteers keeping food supplies very effectively.
   • Wilson - Churchill entered dictatorial mode and forgot his job as Chancellor. Many suggest Baldwin allowed these people in his Cabinet to provoke violence.
   • General - Churchill and Sir William Joynson-Hicks wanted showdown to deal with Communists even though they had little involvement. Mine owners were too inflexible (Lord Birkenhead said that mine leaders were the most stupid people in the country).
   • General - Could not have been prevented as Baldwin did not follow advice of moderate mine owners like Mond’s to force report acceptance. Also say shouldn't have broken negotiations off so early if TU wanted to continue.

2. Causes

   • Post-war issues (long-term_ e.g falling exports but also back to non-beneficial private control. Industrialists failed to compete with other countries, blame on wages lessened. Coal sales down due to more gas, also German recovery after Ruhr occupation has ended, French reparations of coal and in 1925 only 20% of output from machines (long-term). Many said needed government control to aid mines, yet government nationalise (short-term) Also mine owners wouldn't take initiative (short-term). June 1925 sees exports drop due to Ruhr, so need lower wages and increased hours (short-term). Government give 9 months subsidy to keep wages and hope Royal Commission under Sir Samuel find solution (short-term) Many Cons see as surrendered.

3. Events

   • Leading Up - TU support miner’s as may soon affect workers leading to stifled attitude and they relied on the threat of a General Strike and Samuel to solve. March 1926 sees SC report need to reorganise yet until crisis passed need to accept wage reduction. Mines said no yet TU accepts to negotiate further. Government does not force acceptance of report. 30th April sees announced reduced wages and miners strike for May 1st. TUC General Council still try to negotiate, want threat to work yet 2nd of May mine owners don’t appear at Cabinet meeting.
   • The Strike - 100% called appeared. 3M were on strike and factories ran out of materials leading to having to lay people off. TUC were not syndicalists ( bring government down), just wanted intervention. Was violent (Leeds saw 5000 throw stones at volunteer driven trams), Baldwin restrained right-wing and TUC those in arms (said not too). Samuel acted as mediator, renew subsidy short-term and National Wages Board. Stops on 12th despite no Baldwin guarantee to TUC. Coal goes on to December.

4. Consequences

   • TUC membership fell (5.5M to 4.9M in 1927) & TUC abandon idea of GS. Coal issue was not solved (1913 73M tonnes exported, only 60M in 1929). TU & Lab brought closer as workers realised parliamentary action needed instead. Therefore Lab gain in local election and in 1929 election, 151 seats up to 288. Also acted as a warning to other employers to not hugely reduce wages. Trades Dispute Act 1927, pressure on Baldwin from right to prevent GS.