The General Strike 1926 and Workers' Rights

The General Strike of 1926 was the largest industrial dispute in British history. For nine days in May 1926, millions of workers across multiple industries stopped work in support of the coal miners. Although the strike failed, it was a pivotal moment in the history of workers' rights and the relationship between labour, government, and employers.

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Background: The Trade Union Movement

Trade unions had been growing in strength since the mid-19th century, fighting for better wages, shorter hours, and safer working conditions.

Date	Development
1799--1800	Combination Acts ban trade unions
1824	Combination Acts repealed; unions legalised
1834	Tolpuddle Martyrs: six Dorset farm labourers transported to Australia for forming a union; public outcry led to their release
1868	Trades Union Congress (TUC) founded
1871	Trade Union Act gives unions legal recognition
1900	Labour Representation Committee founded (became the Labour Party in 1906)
1906	Trade Disputes Act protects unions from being sued for strike action