Leafy rural Dorset in the West Country of England seems an
unlikely place to associate with many things we take for granted in the
developed world these days – weekends, no child labour, 5 day week, healthcare,
pensions, safe places to work, being paid in real money, employment rights etc.
etc. – you know the things which organised labour has won for us all through sacrifice, struggle and
solidarity. But it was here that six farm labourers changed the way we all work
today. On 24th February 1834, six labourers from Tolpuddle were arrested on a
charge of taking part in an illegal oath ceremony. The real offence was that
they dared to form a trade union to defend their livelihoods. For this they
were sentenced to seven years' transportation to the penal colonies of
Australia. The sentences provoked an immense outcry, leading to the first great
mass trade union protest. The campaign won free pardons and the Martyrs'
returned to England. It was an historic episode in the struggle for trade union
rights in Great Britain and around the world.
As the sun rose on 24th February 1834, Dorset farm labourer
George Loveless set off to work, saying goodbye to his wife Betsy and their
three children. They were not to meet alone again for three years, for as he
left his cottage in the rural village of Tolpuddle, the 37-year-old was served
with a warrant for his arrest.
Loveless and five fellow workers – his brother James, James
Hammett, James Brine, Thomas Standfield and Thomas's son John – were charged
with having taken an illegal oath. But their real crime in the eyes of the
establishment was to have formed a trade union to protest about their meagre
pay of six shillings a week – the equivalent of 30p in today's money and the third
wage cut in as many years.
With the bloody French Revolution and the wrecking of the
Swing Rebellion fresh in the minds of the British establishment, landowners
were determined to stamp out any form of organised protests. So when the local
squire and landowner, James Frampton, caught wind of a group of his workers
forming a union, he sought to stamp it out.
Workers met either under the sycamore tree in the village or
in the upper room of Thomas Standfield's cottage. Members swore of an oath of
secrecy – and it was this act that led to the men's arrest and subsequent
sentence of seven years' transportation. In prison, George Loveless scribbled
some words: “We raise the watchword, liberty. We will, we will, we will be
free!" This rallying call underlined the Martyrs’ determination and has
since served to inspire generations of people to fight against injustice and oppression.
Transportation to Australia was brutal. Few ever returned
from such a sentence as the harsh voyage and rigours of slavery took their
toll. After the sentence was pronounced, the working class rose up in support
of the Martyrs. A massive demonstration marched through London and an
800,000-strong petition was delivered to Parliament protesting about their
sentence.
After three years, during which the trade union movement
sustained the Martyrs' families by collecting voluntary donations, the government
relented and the men returned home with free pardons and as heroes.
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| Main stage at the festival |
Tolpuddle Festival 2012 13-15 July
The Tolpuddle Festival is an annual gathering of trade union
members to celebrate the work of the trade union movement. It is an opportunity
to celebrate victories and push on going campaigns. It is also a chance to meet
new people and catch up with old friends with the social events. And, as ever
2012 will have a great mix of music to suit all tastes.
With family friendly events throughout the weekend Tolpuddle
is an ideal event to take the kids to.
For full listings for the weekend visit;
I’ll probably be in front of the RMT stand enjoying the free
cider, say hello!
Whilst in the village visit the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum
tells the harrowing tale of the Martyrs' arrest, trial and punishment, leading
to the foundation of modern day trade unionism.
The museum is a modern, informative, and educational exhibition;
using interactive touch screen displays new graphic panels telling the story in
text and images. The museum sets out the Martyrs' story in four sections:
Before the arrest, The Oath and Betrayal, Transportation, and the Homecoming.
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| Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum |
We can never take for granted what we owe to these six
ordinary labourers who stood together for the rights of workers. Nor in modern Britain can we cease the struggle against the reactionary ideological heirs of Squire James
Frampton who constantly belittle the role of labour as the source of honest
values in Society and constantly seek to attack workers hard earned rights.
You are such a fountain of knowledge!
ReplyDeleteA veritable Walking Wiki.
ReplyDelete.