The general strike of 1926 and british labour party

Abstract EN

The General Strike of 1926 was the most important British industrial action of the twentieth century.

It was a huge solidarity action in support of the miners' union.

The mines had been brought under state control during the First World War but were returned to private ownership after the end of the war.

In June 1925, the mine-owners announced that wages would be cut again and that working hours would also be increased.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) offered its support, including strike action, to the Miners Federation of Great Britain.

Negotiations between the miners and the mine owners broke down and the immediate reaction of the working class surprised both the TUC and the government.

1.

7 million workers went on strike.

The strike was unilaterally called off by the TUC on May 12, with no guarantees of fair treatment for the miners, who fought until bitter defeat in October.