Banner of the Amalgamated Society of Watermen and Lightermen (Greenwich Branch no. 13).

Repro ID: H5142

Description: The Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Bargemen was established in 1872. It later joined together in 1922 with thirteen other unions to form the Transport and General Workers' Union. The banner shown here belonged to a branch of the union from Greenwich and shows Cardinal Henry Manning (1808-92). The Cardinal was a supporter of the dockers during the 1889 strike. Although a religious conservative, Manning supported social reform. He appealed for unemployment relief and protested against the Poor Law. Manning also campaigned for decent housing for the poor and supported the right of workers to join trade unions and go on strike.

Creator: Unknown

Date: c. 1900

Credit line: People's History Museum, Manchester