EC Papers September 2017

Great Women Trade Unionists

Quorn Grange, Sunday 18th November 2017 Women have always been at the forefront of the trade union movement. From the London Match Women, and the Derby Chain Makers to the Ford workers of Dagenham, they have blazed a trail for equal rights and equal wages that helped to transform society. This day-school will introduce the life stories of such brave and highly organised women, such as Mary MacArthur, Eleanor Marx and Jayaben Desai, and signal the importance of their lasting legacy and, perhaps, some of the unfinished business of today. This is the story of the demand for both Bread and Roses – given life by the impact of these pioneers upon popular culture, gender politics, and literature.

The Chartists

Quorn Grange, Sunday 14th January 2018 The Chartists were the first working class political movement anywhere in the world. They began the struggle for universal suffrage – votes for all – that took more than 130 years to finally achieve. This struggle for democracy shook the Victorian world to its foundations; saw industrial workers step on to the political stage, was opposed by the authorities at every turn, and saw the beginnings of mass, modern-style, campaigning. Rallies, street corner meetings, political journalism and theatre were all honed by the Chartists. At O’ Connorville they attempted to build a utopian, rural, society – at Newport they were met with soldiers and a hail of lead shot. In this day-school, the words, the deeds and the songs of the Chartists help illustrate a story of struggle and sacrifice that one of us should ever forget. Dr Mike Sanders, of Manchester University, who has published widely on the subject, will lead-off a lively discussion.