1911 Liverpool Transport Strike Pictures and Information

Pictures are attached below the information. Courtesy LRO

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A transport workers strike in August 1911 led to crowds clashing violently with police at St George's Plateau. The 1911 disturbances started on Sunday, 13 August when a demonstration by striking workers in support of a seamen's strike erupted into violence.

The action began in Southampton when the National Amalgamated Sailors' and Firemen's Union made demands for improved conditions for their members and action then spread to other ports, including Liverpool.


The union's demands were met in a few days and members returned to work, but in Liverpool the strike continued.


Many local factories were shut and about 250,000 people were on strike.


Sam Davies, Professor of History at Liverpool John Moores University, said: "This was the culmination of a number of months over the summer of 1911 when various groups had gone out on strike.


"All of them were aiming for better wages, conditions and recognition of unions."


Liverpool City Police, the forerunner of Merseyside Police, was reinforced with officers from other areas and soldiers from the Warwickshire Regiment were sent to the city. Gunboats were moored in the River Mersey.


On 13 August, about 80,000 men and women marched to St George's Hall.


Scuffles broke out between protesters and police and within minutes fighting had begun, involving hundreds of people.


"The police attacked the crowd quite unnecessarily, many people were injured, many people were arrested, 186 people were hospitalised, and 96 people arrested," Prof Davies said.


"This created a tremendous outcry in the city.


"Two days and nights of rioting followed with troops on the streets, there were 3,500 troops stationed in Liverpool and a gunboat on the river."

Source: BBC News