The General Strike was the most significant British labour
dispute of the twentieth century. It was a massive solidarity
action called by the Trades Union Congress in support of the
miners, who were striking against cuts in pay and longer hours.
It began on 3 May 1926 and was called off on 12 May by the TUC
with no guarantees from the Tory government of fair treatment
for the miners and no guarantees against victimisation of
returning strikers. The miners’ strike lasted until the end of
1926 and ended in bitter defeat. The mining companies had been
placed under government control during the First World War. The
Miners’ Federation of Great Britain pressed for complete
nationalisation and called a national strike in February 1919.
It was delayed after the Coalition government led by Lloyd
George promised a Royal Commission to look at the future of the
industry. In June 1919 the majority of Sankey Commission members
recommended that the mines should be nationalised but, having
bought a breathing space, the gover