London & North Western Railway strike certificate

Certificate, London & North Western Railway, issued to employees who had remained at work during the 1911 strike. Colour printed on yellow card with decorative border and signature of the General Manager. Dated August 1911. Issued to Mr J W Ellam, Labourer, Huddersfield. In original envelope.

Railway companies in the 19th and early 20th centuries were incredibly anti-union. This is for a few reasons. Early railway companies were run in a militarised manner. Discipline was demanded from employees. Much of the terminology used, such as workers being ‘on duty’ or being ‘at their post’, is taken from military terminology. Additionally, railway workers could be fined for perceived infractions. Railway companies felt that trade unions could undermine discipline if outside bodies were involved in the running of the railways. Companies in this period also had a paternalistic attitude towards their workers. Companies provided workers with benefits such as housing, cheap excursions and leisure activities. In return for this there was an expectation that workers would be grateful and give the company loyalty.

When strikes did occur, companies could react in a number of ways. In the most extreme circumstances companies could revoke housing. This certificate given to people who worked through the strike, though positive of the surface, highlights the negative view that companies held towards strikers. This certificate was given during the 1911 national railway strike, one of the largest rail strikes to take place to that date.