The Penrhyn Quarry in Bethesda, North Wales, was once the largest slate quarry in the world, worked by nearly 3000 quarrymen. And in November 1900, Penrhyn Quarry workers went on a three-year strike for union rights, better pay and improved conditions. The longest dispute in British industrial history, the strike became known as The Great Strike of Penrhyn.
Dissatisfied workers had formed the North Wales Quarrymen’s Union, but Lord Penrhyn – the owner of the quarry – tried everything he could to stifle the union’s power. But the workers stood their ground, and on the 22nd of November, 2000 quarrymen walked out. The Great Strike had begun. Then, after several months of industrial action, four hundred of the strikers returned to work with the promise of better pay and conditions. The community was divided, and strikers put posters in their front windows saying "Nid oes bradwr yn y tŷ hwn" or "There is no traitor in this house".
This tea towel celebrates the unity and bravery of the striking quarrymen, who put their lives on the line for one another. Solidarity!
