Why the weather was on no one’s side in general strike of 1926
Why this matters: environmental and climate reporting with long-term consequences.
A warm spell mitigated some of the effects of the strike but colder weather would have taken their own toll May 1926 is remembered in Britain for the general strike, when the TUC called out millions of workers in support of miners who had been locked out while fighting a pay cut.The strike, which lasted from 3 May to 12 May, took place during a spell of relatively mild weather with little rain. Transport was disrupted but fine conditions allowed many people to walk or cycle to work. There was a shortage of coal but this was mitigated because there was less need for heating. The TUC, fearing legal action and doubting the strike could be sustained, called it off after nine days. Continue reading...