Workers may need to consider general strike like 1926, top union chief says

Exclusive:

Rail strikes are due to cripple much of the network for three days next week. Wales Trades Union Congress President Brendan Kelly believes the action could – and should – spread to other industries

A top union chief raised the prospect of a general strike, which would be the UK’s first for 96 years.

In May 1926, workers walked out for nine days. They were trying to force ministers to act to prevent wage cuts and worsening conditions for 1.2 million locked-out miners.

Rail strikes are due to cripple much of the network for three days next week, with bosses urging passengers to make other travel arrangements.

And Wales Trades Union Congress President Brendan Kelly believes the action could – and should – spread to other industries.

Mr Kelly, a regional organiser for the RMT union, told a rally in Merthyr Tydfil: “I am a passionate believer that we may need to consider having a general strike.

“Apparently it’s not in my powers as the TUC President to call a general strike – I might try and debate that with people.

“But if we can’t call a general strike, let’s build a general strike …and a general strike to me is unions synchronising action and saying, ‘We’re not prepared to accept this, we’re saying now’. And we’re entitled to do that, we shouldn’t be frightened of that fact.

“And we should stand up to this Tory Government because they are bullies.

“Let’s face facts – they are trying to bully us into accepting that our members accept what they are trying to dish out, which is cuts in pay, cuts in conditions and job losses.

“It’s a political choice.”