About George William, my great granddad

George William was born in 1862, in Surrey Rotherhithe; he was my paternal great grandfather. On his birth certificate, his father’s (Joshua) occupation was listed as general labourer and because of the close proximity of the docks to where the family lived on The Isle of Dogs it is probable that  that is where Joshua worked as his son did later.

The casual nature of their employment was contributed to greatly by the very nature of the goods that were handled, softwood - April to November, china tea - July and November, India tea - August and January, wool - February and July, sugar and grain - September and April. The weather, of course, influenced the work with expected arrivals being delayed or arriving early. It was more profitable for the shareholders to employ labour casually rather than keep on a permanent workforce.

The great dock strike of 1889 would have impacted on the family, unlike the unsuccessful 1810 strike demanding a rise in pay from 18 shillings to 21 shillings a week.  Throughout the 19th century the dock companies threatened to import blackleg labour if there was a strike.

To be taken on by one of the many small contractors, (who hired out gangs to load and unload the ships) a man frequently had to use his hard earned money to bribe the contractor, and desperation often forced them to accept the unmerciful demands of the work boss - there were plenty of others to take your place.

Deteriorating working conditions and falling rates of pay fuelled the masses interest in unionism. Striking was their only weapon against such oppression. A weapon brandished successfully August 1889. Striking workers marched daily through the streets to Tower Hill, giving Londoners a chance to see their fervour and many gave their support. Funds were set up to support the strikers. Some donations came from overseas (Australia sent an impressive 30,000 pounds) this outside support enabled the strikers to maintain their position until suitable negations could be agreed upon by both parties. On September 15th the docker got 6d and hour (the Dockers tanner) with 8d an hour for overtime. A final triumphant procession, cheered on by supporter and families, led by unionist Ben Tilled, rallied at Hyde Park to celebrate the victory.