* The Gallery: Strike

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Strike

Catalogue Reference:(MOL) DK0682NG

A model ship carried by dock workers on a protest march during the 1889 dock strike in London. Dock workers were casual workers competing for work daily at the dock gates. The strikers' demands included an assurance of four hours' continuous work per day with a minimum rate of six old pence (6d) per hour, equivalent to 5p. The employers hoped to starve the strikers back to work but, led by Benjamin Tillett who raised money from a number of supporters, the dockers held out and after five weeks the bosses gave in. As a result of the strike, the new General Labourers' Union was founded headed by Benjamin Tillett.

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View item in our catalogue. Catalogue Reference: (MOL) DK1613NG Demands
(MOL) DK1613NG
A letter dated 12 August 1889 from Benjamin Tillett addressed to the 'Superintendent South Dock', laying out the claims made by the members of the Tea Operatives and General Labourers Association for improvements in pay. There was no response to this letter and so the strike began.		 View item in our catalogue. Catalogue Reference: (MOL) DK1633NG Conciliation
(MOL) DK1633NG
A illustration of the Conciliation Conference at the Mansion House in London for the 1889 Dock Strike showing the leading figures involved, including the dockers' leader, Benjamin Tillett (front left), and Cardinal Manning (centre back wearing a clerical collar). Cardinal Manning was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, and the spiritual leader of many thousands of Irish dock workers. He played a major role in the negotiations which led eventually to a settlement.