The Strike in 1888 was precipitated by terrible conditions in the Bryant and May match factory in Fairfield Road, Bow. The Matchgirls endured long hours, low pay and an unfair fines system, and grievances weren't listened to.
They lived with the constant threat of Phossy Jaw, as they had to use dangerous white phosphorus to make the matches - with no separate place to eat their food, they breathed in the dangerous chemical. Is it fair to say tensions were growing.
Then came a Fabian Society meeting on 15th June in 1888.
Clementina Black presented a paper on female labour, and then Henry Hyde Champion spoke of the low pay of the Bryant and May workers, contrasted with the high dividends that were paid to shareholders.
It was unanimously decided to boycott the purchase of their matches.
The next day, Annie Besant and Herbert Burrows, who had both been at the Fabian meeting, went to meet some of the girls outside the factory gates to hear first-hand about their experiences.
This led to Annie writing her famous article in ‘The Link’ entitled ‘White Slavery in London’. This enraged the Bryant and May directors, who tried to get the girls to sign a document to say it wasn't true.
There followed some unrest for a few days and a sacking, which was the last straw for the workforce who downed tools and all 1400 walked out on strike.
They wrote the ‘Dear Lady’ letter to Annie, thanking her for the support and, the next day, about 200 marched to Annie’s office in Bouverie Street, just off Fleet Street to ask for her help.
Annie didn't approve of strike action, preferring reform, but agreed to help them. They organised – speaking at meetings in the streets and halls and forming a Strike Committee.
A Strike Fund was set up. As word spread, the Press, the Public, London Trades Council and Toynbee Hall lent their support.
MPs Charles Bradlaugh, Charles Conybeare and Robert Cunninghame Graham listened to the girls’ grievances and spoke up for them in Parliament.
Eventually, the London Trades Council secured a meeting between the factory Directors and the Strike Committee.
Amazingly, all of their demands were met.
The Matchgirls had won a momentous victory through pure grit and determination to make their lives better.
They formed a Union and working life was improved - but it was still a struggle and it was many years before Directors finally banished the use of white phosphorus.
Sadly, many of these struggles still resonate in today's society but young women and girls of today can draw strength and hope from the Matchgirls: the relatively small action of a group of workers in a factory in the East End of London who stood up for themselves and changed their world.
Every young woman should be inspired that small acts of courage can lead to great things – we should never put up with injustice.
Annie Besant’s name is synonymous with the 1888 Strike but it is important we also remember the individuals on the Strike and Union Committees: Mary Cummings, Eliza Martin, Louisa Beck, Julia Gambleton, Jane Wakeling, Jane Staines, Eliza Price, Mary Naulls, Kate Sclater, Ellen Johnson, Sarah Chapman, Mary Driscoll and Alice Francis.
