This project has focused on stories uncovered from The Bishopsgate Institute Archive of people who have fought for different workers’ rights related campaigns. I have focused on three case studies, which I believe can teach us different aspects of advocating for ourselves and resisting.
 

The Wages for Housework Campaign (1960s – present): The Wages for Housework Campaign has been advocating for paid housework since the 1970s, a seemingly unachievable goal. Many victories can be attributed to them, like child benefits, and they have strongly campaigned for many issues, such as the Marital Rape Law introduced in 1992. This case can show us how to organise a larger and more varied, seemingly unconnected group of people.

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The Murder of Altab Ali (1978): This is a case which shows us that the passing of one law is not the end of a struggle. Altab Ali, a garment worker, may have technically been protected against discrimination while at work through the Race Relations Act of 1965, but he was murdered in a racist attack after work, as this protection did not yet extend to any other public spaces and forums. His death sparked protests which brought about important changes, like the Bengali community finally being protected against racist attacks, and the Race Relations Act extending to public spaces. It shows what the political mechanisms which strive to keep us apart are, and that the passing of one law is not the end of a struggle. It also deals with memory, asking who gets to be remembered and why.

 

The Wapping Dispute (1986): Rupert Murdoch allegedly fired 6000 print-workers by making them go on strike, so he could fire them without severance, when he became able to build a new technologically advanced printing plant. This case is considered by many as an important fight which had been lost by the unions, causing their incremental decrease in power since. It is a perfect example for why it is important to find ways to come together and fight for our rights, as technological advancements shouldn’t only benefit employers.

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Using traditional printmaking techniques (which are laborious and trade specific) to illustrate these stories has been instrumental in personally realising the extent of the work that organisations of the past have had to do in order to fight for and gain the rights that we take for granted today. None of the benefits of today have been achieved without protest and organised resistance, and we need to be inspired by the past in order to keep moving forward.

 

Illustrations have been made through etchings, metal engravings, linocut, wood engraving and letterpress.