The Matchgirls’ Strike: Courage in the Face of Injustice
In the late nineteenth century, as we all know the East End of London was crowded, noisy, and steeped in poverty. One of the factories that lined its streets was Bryant & May match factory in Bow. Inside, hundreds of girls and young women-many still only in their early teens- they worked long hours for exceptionally low wages. Their job was to dip small wooden splints into a dangerous white phosphorus, a substance that could cause a horrific condition known as “phossy jaw,” where the bones of the face slowly decayed. Fines were imposed on the women for even the smallest of mistakes, things like talking, dropping matches, or arriving a few minutes late. Pay could and would be reduced without any warning. For girls already living on the edge, those reductions in wages often meant hunger, not just for her but for her family aswell.
By 1888, frustration had been building for years. The girls endured the hideous smell of the chemicals, the constant worry of becoming ill, and the humiliation of the unfair and frankly exploitative treatment. Many of these women were supporting parents or younger siblings. They may well have felt invisible-young, poor, and dismissed by society as completely unimportant. But beneath that surface was strength.
In June 1888, the social reformer Annie Besant visited the factory and began speaking with the workers. She was completely shocked by what she heard from the women. She published an article titled “White Slavery in London,” in her weekly newspaper, The Link. She exposed the conditions inside Bryant & May. The factory owners as you can well imagine were not happy and reacted angrily to article. They pressured the girls to deny the claims and to tell people that Besant’s words were lies. When several workers simply refused, one was dismissed.
That dismissal became the spark needed to provoke the women into action.
On the 5th of July 1888, around 1,400 matchgirls walked out. It was bold, frightening and maybe even a decision that could push them into destitution. Most had no savings. Striking meant no wages at all. But they chose solidarity. They marched to see Besant, asking for help in organising their cause. For perhaps the first time, many of them felt their voices finally mattered.
Public opinion quickly shifted in their favour. Newspapers reported on their bravery. Meetings were held. Donations were even raised. The girls elected representatives, they showed remarkable confidence and complete unity. They were not willing to be passive victims; they were determined young women demanding fairness.
Within two weeks, the factory management agreed to negotiate. Fines and deductions were abolished and a formal grievance procedure was introduced. The strike officially ended on the 16th of July 1888. The girls returned to work as pioneers of change.
In the following weeks, they formed the Union of Women Matchmakers, which was one of the first unions for unskilled female workers. Their action helped inspire the wider “New Unionism” movement, proving that even the poorest workers could organise successfully.
The Matchgirls’ Strike was not only about wages. It was about dignity. These young women-many only teenagers- had challenged powerful businessmen and forced society to see them. They must have felt fear, yes, but also a sense of pride. They had discovered their collective strength, and stood up to be heard.
Their story reminds us that history is often not about kings and politicians, but made by ordinary people who refuse to just accept injustice.
Do you think their courage would have been possible without standing together? How much influence did Annie Besant have on the women?
Image info:
Matchgirls on strike against Bryant & May in London
Date: 1888
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