Unite the union is organising a series of events on Saturday 2 May in Barnsley to commemorate the centenary of the 1926 General Strike and Miners’ Lockout.
Barnsley Civic from 10.00-12.30,
The full itinerary for the day is at: https://www.unitetheunion.org/media/cmsj1tk5/general-strike-a4-leaflet-barnsley-civic-talks-v1-15-april-2026.pdf
We’ve also produced a newspaper to advertise the event which includes an introductory essay about the strike: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/6e90fdc2ea.html#page/8
Speakers:
THE GENERAL STRIKE ALONG THE RIVER THAMES
Matthew Lee (library worker) and Callum Cant (Senior Lecturer, University of Essex), editors of Notes From Below and co-authors of ‘The Future in our Past: The General Strike 1926/2026’ (Verso, 2026)
This talk will outline the events in class struggle along the River Thames, and their importance in making and breaking of the General Strike
PITS, PICKETS AND PRISON CELLS: BRINGING THE GENERAL STRIKE INTO THE CLASSROOM
Dr Dan Edmonds (Inclusive Histories, Royal Holloway University of London)
This talk will explore how the stories of three activists, Communist MP Shapurji Saklatvala, Cramlington miner and train-wrecker Bill Muckle, and Labour Party Chief Women’s Officer Marion Phillips, can be used to show key themes of the General Strike for young people while inspiring future generations of activists
DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION: VOLUNTEERS IN THE GENERAL STRIKE OF 1926
Dr Liam Ryan (Teaching Fellow in Twentieth-Century British History, University of Oxford)
This talk will examine the role of middle-and upper-class strike-breakers in 1926
COUNCILS OF ACTION
Edd Mustill, Unite shop steward and author of ‘Britain’s Revolutionary Summer: The General Strike of 1926’ (OneWorld, 2026)
This talk will look at how trade unionists organised the strike on the ground
LABOUR WOMEN AND SOLIDARITY IN THE STRIKE AND LOCKOUT
Janet Hughes, history lecturer
This talk will cover the multiple roles that women played during the events of 1926
PLUS
Free refreshments and breakfasts, supplied by Old George café
Exhibition by local photographer Les Monaghan
NUM archive exhibition by Sarah Hughes, University of Warwick Modern Records Centre