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The foundation stone
August 12, 2015 marks the 126th anniversary of the start of The Great Dock Strike of 1889. Now, Unite has published a free booklet on this historic event.
Before 1889 trade union membership was largely the preserve of skilled craftsmen. The dock labourer’s achievement – assisted by magnificent international solidarity from Australia – lay in convincing other unskilled workers that improvements in pay and conditions could be won through trade union activity. Nothing was to ever be the same again.
The booklet has been welcomed by former docker Len McCluskey, the Unite general secretary.
Len said, “As a former docker brought up on stories of great struggles it gives me real pleasure to see this work published online on the Great London Dock Strike of 1889 that was the foundation stone on which the modern trade union movement is based. Our great union does, of course, have its own origins in the 1889 strike.
Salute
“This booklet is a salute to those who led and participated in the momentous events of August and September 1889 and a sign of our commitment to an ongoing collective struggle for a better future for all working people.”
The Great Dock Strike of 1889 follows books on Tom Jones, Spanish Civil War volunteer and Welsh TGWU general secretary, and Julia Varley, trade union organiser and fighter for women’s rights.
The highly readable books from the Unite education department are aimed at inspiring the current and future generations of trade unionists to take up the struggle on behalf of working people.
Jim Mowatt, Unite director education said,  “The first two booklets that we published have been well received. This one is 60 pages long and easy to read. I am sure it will prove popular too.”
All three booklets have been written and compiled by journalist and UNITElive contributor, Mark Metcalf.
Click to download the
