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British Women Trade Unionists on Strike at Bryant & May, 1888

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The matchwomen who were employed by Bryant and May went on strike over their working conditions in 1888. Their strike is historically significant due to the fact that it was led by working class women, many of whom were immigrants from Ireland. The year of the strike and the women's relationship to London dock workers have also led to the suggestion that their strike may in fact mark the beginning of New Unionism. These papers combine business records from Bryant and May with press coverage of the strike and photographs of the women who were involved.

Using Bryant & May's own material, combined with contemporary accounts in personal journals and diaries as well as newspapers, it was possible to reconstruct the events of the strike in detail, and show its seminal importance to a new wave of trades unionism

Louise Raw, Historian and author of 'Striking a Light'.

Insights

These records provide a rare insight into the industrial practices and attitudes of the 19th century. Papers on the 'sweating system' cover a range of businesses and industries.
Coverage of the strike includes shareholders' reactions to claims made by Wilberforce Bryant as well as reactions to the strike by journalists and politicians.
Charles Dickens' journal Household Words features within papers from the early years of Bryant & May. The volume from May in 1852 includes a description of the damage done by phosphorus necrosis.

Highlights

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Hansard transcript

Hansard transcript of a debate in parliament over due recognition being given to the match women, 8 October 2013.

Date:2013-2013
Contributor:Louise Raw
Identifier:72993f-02

Interview notes

TS notes made by Louise Raw following her interviews with Joan Harris, grand-daughter of one of the 'ring-leaders' of the strike, Mary Driscoll, 2004.

Date:2004-2004
Contributor:Louise Raw
Identifier:72993f-01

Self-lighting cigarettes debate

D/B/BRY/1/2/332. Correspondence and press cuttings relating to the company's reaction to the prospect of self-lighting cigarettes, 1960-1964.

Date:1960-1964
Contributor:C L R James Library, Hackney
Identifier:72993e-07
Archive Reference(s):D/B/BRY/1/2/332

Further retrospective accounts

D/B/BRY/1/2/564/8. Further correspondence and ephermera relating to musicals and plays on the strike, 1965-1973; a short history of the strike written from the company's perspective by Gilbert Bartholemew, 1959.

Date:1959-1973
Contributor:C L R James Library, Hackney
Identifier:72993e-06
Archive Reference(s):D/B/BRY/1/2/564/8

Strike a Light

D/B/BRY/1/2/564/3. Script of a musical, Strike a Light, by Joyce Adcock, c1965.

Contributor:C L R James Library, Hackney
Identifier:72993e-05
Archive Reference(s):D/B/BRY/1/2/564/3

'The Matchgirls Strike of 1888' - general enquiries

D/B/BRY/1/2/564/1. A series of correspondence and other papers relating to musicals and plays focussing on the strike, 1965. Many show Bryant & May to be none too favourable toward such...

Date:1965-1965
Contributor:C L R James Library, Hackney
Identifier:72993e-04
Archive Reference(s):D/B/BRY/1/2/564/1

BryMay Magazine

D/B/BRY/1/2/575. Includes 50 Year Service Medal photographs. These women would have been working in 1888.

Date:1924-1925
Contributor:C L R James Library, Hackney
Identifier:72993e-03
Archive Reference(s):D/B/BRY/1/2/575

'Bryant & May Workers and the War'

D/B/BRY/1/2/542. Four page address made by a 'Mr Paton' encouraging B&M workers not to join the war, 1915.

Date:1915-1915
Contributor:C L R James Library, Hackney
Identifier:72993e-02
Archive Reference(s):D/B/BRY/1/2/542
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