"Bedstead Workmens' Association badge" [NMLH.2014.20.40]

Catalogue Number
NMLH.2014.20.40

Object Name
Badge

People
E. J. Smith

Description
The Bedstead Workmens' [sic] Association came into existence in 1889 as a result of the biggest strike that had ever been recorded in Birmingham at this time.The strike, which involved 4,000 male workers and lasted for 10 days, was over a 15% wage increase. The strike was settled by an arbitration award providing an immediate 10% increase to be followed by a further 5% rise in in the following March (1890).

An employer of bedstead workers, E. J. Smith, created a close alliance between the union and the associated manufacturers through a scheme in which the union members agreed to work only for the employers who were members of the employers association. In return the union were advantaged by a 'closed shop' and having equal representation on a wages board. Every increase in bedstead prices achieved by the cartel ensured a bonus for the workers. This cartel was named the Bedstead Alliance.

By 1899 the Bedstead Workmens' Association had 7 branches and a membership of more than 2,500. By the late 1950s membership had fallen drastically ro roughly 200, and the union was dissolved in 1961.

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