Engineers' 1871 Strikes

A short successful strike for a 9 hour working day by engineers in Sunderland in early 1871 led to engineers throughout NE England seeking limitation of normal working rime to 9 hours, 6 days a week.   The idea was not well received by employers, which led to engineers striking for several weeks.   At the time, unions were newly legitimate, and it wasn't long since strikes were usually treated as riots to be dealt with by troops.

European workers were shipped in to break strikes, but were persuaded by strikers
that they & all workers were being abused - they returned with their fare paid

A report on pp 1166-7 of The Spectator 30 September 1871

The 1871 strikes were unusual at that time beyond success for workers; their end was also beneficial to employers because money continued flowing in on full order books.   Unions were against striking; the government were not involved; public opinion went with the workers; intelligent, steadfast local leaders emerged such as John Burnett (encouraged by Joseph Cowen at the Chronicle), who worked for William Armstrong.

The now common 35 - 40 hour 5 day working week may have its roots in the 1871 engineers' strikes.    Beyond NE England the idea shows elsewhere in the world - there is particular coverage & celebration in Canada:

The 8 hour working day also has industrial roots - before the first world war Ford introduced an 8 hour day in their factories, which led to increased productivity.

A centennial book about the strikes;
we'll soon be at the 150th anniversary

Some interesting pointers to local workers' movements may be found in Mapping Radical Tyneside, including the Nine Hours League.

The site also indicates the size & importance of the coal trade (& the stranglehold of the Newcastle business class on all Tyne trade) in the mid 17th century with articles such as those on Keelmen's strikes.