Where do you stand? Visit PHM’s headline exhibition for 2026 and explore how strike action has shaped the history and future of British democracy. Part of the national commemorations marking 100 years since the 1926 General Strike where the exhibition begins, On The Line takes visitors on a journey through a century of struggles and stories of strength.
An unprecedented act of unity, the 1926 General Strike saw workers across the country withdraw their labour in support of over a million miners who had been locked out of work for refusing to accept lower pay. On The Line examines the impact of strike action on individuals, communities, and wider society, highlighting key moments of solidarity, when people have united as a last resort in the face of injustice, poor working conditions, and unfair treatment.
Discover powerful objects from PHM’s nationally significant collection, including banners and badges, paintings and posters, t-shirts and a truncheon, and pivotal moments from the past and present including the Grunwick Strike (1976-1978), the Miners’ Strike (1984-1985) and Amazon’s Coventry warehouse strikes (2023-2024).
Viewed together, these historic and contemporary objects and events reveal how one act of resistance can inspire another, how each step contributes towards achieving change for the many.
Visit On The Line and witness the strength of collective power, uncover the battles fought, the solidarity shared, and the lifelines which have united workers throughout history to today.
Part of PHM’s programme of activity exploring the history of strikes and solidarity.
Suitable for all ages (under 12s must have an accompanying adult).
In our latest blog we caught up with On The Line’s lead curator Mark Wilson, as he takes a deeper dive into the vibrant visual culture of strike action, with insights into artists, poster collectives, radical printshops, and the creative propaganda they produced.
This video features a BSL interpreted version of the information on this website page about the On The Line exhibition.
A range of accessible formats have been created to enable visitors to engage with the exhibition in different ways;
When visiting the exhibition in person you can access exhibition content through Large Print guides, braille transcriptions, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted films via QR code, and audio narration via QR code. You will also find magnifying glasses, colour overlays, ear defenders, and sensory bags.
Here on the website (below) you can find:
Although there are a range of accessible formats available, we understand everyone’s access needs are different. If you want to discuss your access needs with a member of the museum team, you can contact us on access@phm.org.uk or by phoning on 0161 838 9190.
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