The National Union of Gas Workers and General Labourers was formed at a meeting in Canning Town Public Hall on 31 March 1889, which was addressed by Will Thorne (1857-1946), himself a gasworker, Ben Tillett and other members of the Social Democratic Federation. With Thorne as General Secretary, within four months, the union had 20,000 members and over 60 branches across the country. The Gas companies accepted the unions demand for eight hour shifts.

[This drawing is from the 'Illustrated London News' 12 October 1889]

Title	Gas Workers' rally at Peckham Rye, 1889
Maker	--
Production Date	1889
Format	Engraving
Copyright	--
Holding Institution	TUC Library Collections, London Metropolitan University
Related Objects	--