As Britain prepares to mark the centenary of the 1926 General Strike, unions and communities are organising commemorations that honour the courage of working people.
For Solidarity, the lessons of that struggle are urgent reminders of the power of collective action—and the need to confront today’s injustices with the same determination.
Planned Centenary Events
The 100th anniversary of the General Strike will be marked in 2026 with a national programme of exhibitions, conferences, and community initiatives. A coalition of museums, libraries, and archives—coordinated by the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU)—has launched the General Strike Centenary National Partnership.
- Exhibitions: The People’s History Museum, Beamish, and the Working Class Movement Library will showcase collections of strike posters, photographs, and oral histories.
- Interactive Map & Passport: Visitors will be able to trace strike sites across Britain, collecting stamps at participating venues.
- Academic Conference: Newcastle University will host a major conference in May 2026, bringing together historians and activists to reassess the strike’s legacy.
- Community Engagement: Local unions and cultural groups will organise talks, film screenings, and commemorative walks, ensuring the centenary is not confined to archives but lived in the streets and workplaces.
These events are not simply about remembrance—they are about reclaiming history as a weapon for today’s struggles.
The Significance of the 1926 Strike
The General Strike of May 1926 was the most dramatic confrontation between labour and capital in modern British history. Called by the Trades Union Congress in solidarity with coal miners resisting wage cuts and longer hours, it saw millions of workers across transport, printing, and heavy industry down tools for nine days.
Although the strike was called off without securing its immediate aims, it remains a defining moment:
- It demonstrated the capacity of workers to act collectively across industries.
- It exposed the hostility of the state, which mobilised police, military, and propaganda against its own citizens.
- It left a legacy of solidarity that shaped union consciousness for generations.
Lessons for Unions and Working People
From Solidarity’s perspective, the centenary is not just about looking back—it is about learning forward.
- Unity Across Sectors: The strike showed that fragmented struggles are easily defeated. Today, whether in refuse collection, rail, or health, workers must coordinate action to resist employer divide‑and‑rule tactics.
- Resisting Fire and Rehire: Just as miners resisted wage cuts, today’s workers face exploitative practices like fire and rehire. The lesson is clear: concessions only embolden employers. Collective resistance is the only answer.
- Community Support Matters: In 1926, as in the Birmingham bin strike today, solidarity from households, businesses, and faith groups sustained morale. Building alliances beyond the workplace remains vital.
- Beware State Hostility: The strike revealed how quickly governments side with employers. Workers must prepare for legal, political, and media attacks whenever they act boldly.
Do We Need a General Strike Now?
The question cannot be avoided. With wages stagnating, living costs soaring, and councils and corporations alike attacking conditions, the parallels with 1926 are stark.
Pat Harrington, General Secretary of Solidarity, has argued: “The centenary is not just a commemoration—it is a call to arms. Fire and rehire, wage suppression, and the erosion of collective bargaining are today’s coalfields. If employers and government refuse to listen, then workers must consider coordinated national action. A general strike is not a relic of history—it is a weapon we may need again.”
Conclusion
The 1926 General Strike was a moment when working people stood together against injustice. Its centenary in 2026 will be marked with exhibitions, conferences, and community events—but for Solidarity, the true commemoration lies in action.
If we honour the courage of those who struck a century ago, we must be ready to confront today’s injustices with the same resolve. The lesson of 1926 is simple: when workers act together, they can shake the foundations of power.
By Maria Camara
