Trade unions were set up and exist to protect the pay, benefits, working conditions and status of workers through collective bargaining. They can help shape a more hopeful society.
Our collections provide an insight into the history of Bristol trade unions and industrial action. You can also find more paper-based evidence in Bristol Archives (Ref.32080).
Trade Union banners provide a strong visual message and a clear voice in protests, marches and parades. Traditional designs highlight unity, strength and compassion.
M Shed has a collection of painted silk Trade Union banners that are displayed one at a time on rotation. They’re incredibly beautiful and important historic objects, but very fragile.
In 1993, against a background of national change in the printing industry and its labour relations, the entire 120-strong workforce of the long-established printing company J.W. Arrowsmith Ltd was dismissed. When everyone was offered reinstatement under changed conditions, including de-recognition of the trade union, only five returned to work. The remainder stayed away. A picket was maintained on the works gate for 18 months.
Both sides in the dispute had a lot to lose and took a determined stand. The employers believed that they had the right under law to set and vary terms and conditions by agreement with their own workforce. They believed that the viability of the company was threatened by the imposition of national pay agreements. After a long period of good relations with their workforce, they were surprised by the breakdown of negotiations that led to the dispute.
The workforce, on the other hand, felt betrayed by the management. They believed that the company could afford to give them a pay increase and pointed to expenditure by the owners and managers that suggested that the firm was not as loss-making as was suggested. The vast majority of the staff remained loyal to the trade union’s stand throughout the 18 month dispute, although in the end they lost their argument.
J.W. Arrowsmith closed as a printing company in 2006.
The Social History collection contains about 40,000 items, nearly all of which are linked to Bristol and the surrounding area. The collection comprises objects relating to community and domestic life, personal effects, working life and clothing. Items from the collection can be seen on display at M Shed and Blaise Museum, and by appointment. The […]
In the 19th century women weren’t allowed to vote. Organised suffragist campaigns began to appear in 1866 and campaigns continued for many years, with some members becoming more militant when their views were ignored. It wasn’t until 6 February 1918 that legislation allowed all women over 30 who owned a property the right to vote. […]
