Catalogue Number
NMLH.1993.382.19
Object Name
photograph
Title
'Joint Strike Committee. Paddington, No. 2, London, No. 6 - NUR. Paddington, R.C.A., May 1926.'
Place
Paddington, London
People
National Union of Railwaymen (NUR)
Events
1926 General Strike
Description
A black and white photograph of thirty two railway union organisers in dark formal suits looking at the camera. The photo was taken outdoors and the man on the left end of the back row has a Jack Russell terrier at his feet. The photo mount has typed writing saying 'Joint Strike Committee.' above, and 'Paddington, No. 2, London, No. 6 - NUR. Paddington, R.C.A., May 1926.' below.
The joint strike organising committee of the National Union of Railwaymen were organising their union's participation in the 1926 General Strike. This was Britain's only all out General Strike where millions of workers across the country spent nine days on strike in solidarity with the country's striking miners. Rail workers striking didn't just impact people being able to travel - it also stopped the movement of goods like food and coal.
The 1926 General Strike lasted for 9 days, and was eventually called off by the TUC without successfully resolving the issues over pay and hours that the miners were striking for. The miners spent another seven months on strike, and the government brought in legislation to ban solidarity striking due to how many millions of workers had participated in the General Strike.
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