After WW1, Britain faces unemployment problems in its staple industries such as shipbuilding and coal. Trade Union membership had risen considerably
The Coal Miners' Strike
Coal was Britain's most important staple industry - as an energy source and major export
Coal mines were nationalised during WW1 then privatised afterwards - miners' wages were subsidised by the government.
In June 1925, mine owners announced plans to cut wages
The TUC's support for the miners led to the Conservatives to back down from a major industrial confrontation known as Red Friday
Samuel Commission is set investigate the mining industry
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Reasons for the failure of the General Strike
Government readiness
By the time the Samuel Commission reported, the government was well-prepared for a major industrial strike
The Organisation for the Maintenance of Supplies was created to train volunteer strike breakers to drive trucks and assist with the distribution of food and fuel
Baldwin's tactics
Organised the government's case by presenting the strike as a conflict between elected constitutional government and the Trade Unions
The British Gazette was launched to convey this message
Control of the BBC radio helped generate public backing for the government
The Trade Union Congress' was unprepared
Although the TUC supported the miners, it was not prepared to fight a long strike for fear of placing too great a strain on Trade Union funds
Miners continued to strike after May but most had returned to work by November
Their refusal to accept the Samuel Commission's recommendations meant they had to accept the owners' terms for returning to work
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Consequences of the General Strike
Miners maintained resistance for a few months before being forced by their own economic needs to return to the mines.
Many miners remained unemployed for many years.
Those that were employed were forced to accept longer hours, lower wages, and district wage agreements.
The strikers felt as though they had achieved nothing.
The Trade Disputes and Trade Unions of 1927 forbade sympathetic strikes and mass picketing.
TUC lost support as people believed that they were not going to give the help required
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