John Burns addressing a meeting during the strike of 1889.

John Burns addressing a meeting during the strike of 1889. © National Maritime Museum, London

Repro ID: H5139

Description: When the London Dock Strike started in August 1889, Ben Tillett asked John Burns to help win the dispute. Burns helped to rally the dockers when they were considering the possibility of returning to work. He was also involved in raising money and gaining support from other trade unionists. During the dispute Burns emerged with Tillett and Tom Mann as one of the three main leaders of the strike. The employers were confident that they would be able to starve the men back to work, but due to support from other trade unions and charitable organisations, the employers accepted defeat and granted all the dockers' main demands.

Creator: 'Illustrated London News'

Date: 1889

Credit line: People's History Museum, Manchester