I'm looking back at the days when shipyard workers fought for their rights
Here’s an iconic photo showing Tyneside’s ship builders 68 years ago - on the day workers joined colleagues across the country in strike action.
As midday struck on March 18,1957, 30,000 workers from the region walked out as the nationwide shipyard strike began.
Tens of thousands joined the action
But it was not just ship workers who took action as tens of thousands of engineering industry employees also went on strike.
It led to 1.7 million people joining the dispute from all over the country.
National newspapers described it at the time as the most serious crisis since 1926.
In this photo, from the Getty Images archives, Tyneside shipbuilding and ship repair workers were seen leaving the Vickers-Armstrong yard in Newcastle.
After a 10 per wage increase
About 30,000 Tyneside shipyard workers were on strike at the time in support of a 10% wage increase claim.
The government successfully pressured employers to concede substantial wage increases.
The Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions ordered the strikers back to work on April 2.
Tell us if one of your relatives worked in the Tyneside shipyards and has memories of those days.
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