Catalogue Number
NMLH.2002.1
Object Name
Banner
Title
'Electrical Trades Union. London Press Branch.'
Place
London, UK
People
Ken Sprague, Ray Bernard, Electrical Trades Union
Events
Grunwick Strike 1976-1978
Date
1959
Creator(s)Sprague, Ken
Description
A clenched fist grasping red and yellow lightning bolts on a blue background.
The banner was designed by the communist artist, Ken Sprague, and made by Mountain and Molehill, the company he formed with Ray Bernard in 1959. As Ray was tall and Ken was short, they were called 'Mr. Mountain' and 'Mr. Molehill'. Sprague joined the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1944 and made ceramics, posters, and political cartoon art for many causes and unions during his career. This banner was used during the Grunwick Strike between 1976-78.
The Electrical Trades Union was formed in 1889, following the merger of the Amalgamated Society of Telegraph and Telephone Construction Men with the Union of Electrical Operatives. It changed its name to the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Union in 1968, merged with the Amalgamated Engineering Union to form the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union in 1992 and since 1 January 2002 has been part of Amicus.
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