The Dockers strike Flashcards
When did the London dockers go on strike?
1889
Why did the London dockers go on strike?
Demanding better pay and working conditions.
What was the the ‘docker’s tanner’?
The workers were striking for a wage rise from 5 pence an hour to 6 pence.
What did the strikers also want for overtime work?
8 pence an hour for any overtime work
What was another problem the dockers had?
Having to compete for work. They would regularly go days without work.
What did the strikers want regarding working hours?
They wanted to secure at least 4 hours a day.
Compare the actions of the New Unionism strikes to the actions of the New Model Unions:
Why was this?
The New Unionism strikes were more militant.
This was mostly because the new Unionism leaders were socialists.
Who was the dockers’ leader?
Ben Tillet
What did Tillet encourage the strikers to do?
March through London to raise the profile of the strike and get support.
What did the men carry to show the public?
Rotten vegetables and fish heads to show the public what they and their families were living on.
Where did the men picket?
The gates of London docks.
Why did the men picket the gates of London docks?
To continue to put pressure on the managers and stop any ‘blackleg’ labourers entering the docks to do the work.
What did the strike action do to the London docks?
It closed them.
Which 2 influential people did the strike gain the support of?
-Lord Mayor of London
-Cardinal Manning
Who donated how much to help support the strike action?
Australian unions donated £30,000.
