"Wapping dispute unions badge" [NMLH.1991.14.39]

Catalogue Number
NMLH.1991.14.39

Object Name
Badge

Title
Wapping dispute 1986 - SOGAT - NUJ - AUEW - NGA

Place
Wapping, London

People
Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT); National Union of Journalists (NUJ); Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers (AUEW); National Graphical Association (NGA)

Events
Wapping dispute

Description
Round white badge, "Wapping Dispute 1986" in blue in the centre with a newspaper illustration. Around the edge, "SOGAT - NUJ - NGA - AUEW" in red around the edge. These refer to the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT); National Graphical Association (NGA); Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU); and National Union of Journalists (NUJ) trade unions.

The badge was produced in support of printworkers, who had gone on strike in response to the management of Rupert Murdoch's News International refusing to negotiate terms for the movement of the printworks of the newspapers to a new factory in Wapping with worse terms of employment, in 1986. Following the declaration of the strike, known as the Wapping dispute, striking members of staff were fired. Mass pickets and a boycott movement soon followed, but the 54-week strike was ultimately unsuccessful.

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