Support the 100 anniversary of the General Strike national partnership
11 museums, libraries, archives and history groups have today written to the trade union and labour movement to seek support for a national partnership to celebrate the General Strike 100 anniversary in 2026.
This partnership has been coordinated by the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU). Commenting on the importance of this project, Gawain Little, General Secretary of the GFTU said, “The 100 anniversary of the 1926 strike is a critical celebration of the power of workers to defy Government and grow union consciousness across the country. This partnership is about amplifying and promoting the excellent plans of many organisations across the country. We are looking forward to 2026.”
This partnership will produce an interactive map of organisations and sites for the public to visit throughout 2026. This will include details of specific exhibitions, educational events, and unique collections to explore - all part of our rich history of the General Strike.
Accompanying the interactive website, the partnership will produce a printed passport, encouraging those participating to visit as many of these sites as they can and collect stamps from all they visit.
Belinda Scarlett, the Library Manager at Working Class Movement Library (WCML), “We are delighted to be a part of this national partnership, helping promote the work of our library and archive, as well as our local history in celebrating the General Strike.”
Alongside a digital map, the partnership will be producing commemorative merchandise to mark the anniversary and help support fundraising efforts.
Luke Pearce, from the project’s merchandise partner, Radical Tea Towel Company, commented, “We know the importance of celebrating our trade union and labour history is fundamental. This partnership is a great fit for Radical Tea Towel.”
If you want to support this project, please consider donating via https://bit.ly/GeneralStrike100.
This project is supported by: Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, Campaign for Trade Union Freedom, General Federation of Trade Unions, National Coal Mining Museum for England, People’s History Museum, Radical Tea Towel Company, Society for the Study of Labour History, Strike Map, TUC Library Collections - London Metropolitan University, Working Class History, Working Class Movement Library.
Ralph
Ralph Darlington
Emeritus Professor of Employment Relations
Salford Business School
University of Salford
Salford M5 4WT
email: r.r.darlington@salford.ac.uk
X/Twitter: @irrelations
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Editorial Advisory Board member: Employee Relations
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Latest Publication:
Labour Revolt in Britain 1910-14, Pluto Press, 2023.
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