London Tailors’ Strike Begins (1889)

Tue Aug 27, 1889

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Image: A photo showing tailors in a workshop on London’s East End, unknown year [thejc.com]

The London Tailors’ Strike, conducted by Jewish immigrants working in small tailoring workshops in Whitechapel, began on this day in 1889. The strike was called by the Amalgamated Society of Tailors and two smaller pressers’ and machinists’ unions. The striking workers demanded a ten and a half hour day and a limit on overtime hours.

By September, 10,000 workers were on strike. Although the strike was on the brink of failure four weeks in because of the workers’ impoverished conditions, the Docks Strike Committee (who were largely of Irish Catholic heritage, had little contact with Jews, and were led by an anti-Semitic bigot who had once called Jews “dregs and scum of the continent”) donated £100 to the tailors, allowing them to continue striking.

In early October, the employers finally caved to the workers’ demands, granting a shorter workday and a limit on overtime hours.