20th century – 20th century
South Africa
The African Mine Workers’ Union was founded in 1941 after a conference called by the Transvaal African Congress. Led by J. B. Marks during the 1946 wage dispute, it organised a major strike involving approximately 74,000 gold miners. Police repression, prosecutions of its leaders, and the refusal of the Chamber of Mines to recognise the workers’ demands brought the union’s campaign to defeat.
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The Story
The African Mine Workers’ Union was founded in 1941, when the Transvaal African Congress called a conference to create an organisation for mine labourers. Its formation reflected the continuing need for worker representation after earlier African labour movements had been weakened by mismanagement, state pressure, and political disagreement. The government responded in 1942 with War Measure 145, which made every strike by black workers illegal.
Wages remained at the centre of the union’s confrontation with the mining industry. After the union demanded higher pay in 1943, the government appointed a commission of investigation. By 1946, average mineworker earnings had stagnated for a decade or more, and the union, led by J. B. Marks, had spent months attempting to negotiate with the Chamber of Mines without receiving a meaningful response.
The union finally called a strike in 1946. At its peak in mid-August, approximately 74,000 men—about one-quarter of the gold-mining workforce—stopped work, paralysing eight mines and partially affecting five others. Police were deployed to force the miners back, strike leaders were tried, and the union was crushed. The subsequent contrast in earnings underscored the unequal consequences of the industrial settlement for black and white miners.
20th century – 20th century
South Africa
The African Mine Workers’ Union was founded in 1941 after a conference called by the Transvaal African Congress. Led by J. B. Marks during the 1946 wage dispute, it organised a major strike involving approximately 74,000 gold miners. Police repression, prosecutions of its leaders, and the refusal of the Chamber of Mines to recognise the workers’ demands brought the union’s campaign to defeat.
Continue exploring
The Story
The African Mine Workers’ Union was founded in 1941, when the Transvaal African Congress called a conference to create an organisation for mine labourers. Its formation reflected the continuing need for worker representation after earlier African labour movements had been weakened by mismanagement, state pressure, and political disagreement. The government responded in 1942 with War Measure 145, which made every strike by black workers illegal.
Wages remained at the centre of the union’s confrontation with the mining industry. After the union demanded higher pay in 1943, the government appointed a commission of investigation. By 1946, average mineworker earnings had stagnated for a decade or more, and the union, led by J. B. Marks, had spent months attempting to negotiate with the Chamber of Mines without receiving a meaningful response.
The union finally called a strike in 1946. At its peak in mid-August, approximately 74,000 men—about one-quarter of the gold-mining workforce—stopped work, paralysing eight mines and partially affecting five others. Police were deployed to force the miners back, strike leaders were tried, and the union was crushed. The subsequent contrast in earnings underscored the unequal consequences of the industrial settlement for black and white miners.