London & North Western Railway illuminated minute

Illuminated address, London & North Western Railway, Minute of the Board of Directors held on December 19th 1890 offering thanks to staff who worked during the strike at Garston on 19th November 1890.

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 notice given to people who worked through the strike, though positive of the surface, highlights the negative view that companies held towards strikers. People who remained at work were to be given double pay, financially rewarding workers for not striking. This would act as encouragement to workers to refuse to take part in future industrial action.