J. H. ThomasJohn BromleyCharlie Cramp David Lloyd GeorgeEric GeddesWinston ChurchillRobert Horne The 1919 United Kingdom railway strike was an industrial dispute that lasted from midnight 26–27 September to 5 October 1919.

Rising inflation caused real incomes to drop while workloads increased due to wartime mobilization.

In 1914, a truce had been negotiated between unions and railway companies, forestalling discussions of wage increases until the end of the war.

[7] In order to safeguard the gains made by workers during the war, the NUR and the ASLEF presented a program to the government in November 1918.

[b][8][11] Negotiations continued throughout the year, with payment structures for different grades of employment being the primary point of contention.

[8] While the government was willing to grant substantial wage increases to locomotive drivers, they were not willing to do so for porters, conductors, and other railway workers.

[19][20]By 29 September, train service had improved considerably throughout the country, though it was still greatly reduced relative to before the strike due to a lack of drivers and signalmen.

[21] In order to mitigate staffing shortages, the government put out a call for volunteers to work in various positions on the railways, including as drivers, signalmen, porters, and firemen.

The next day, another meeting took place including representatives from various other labour organizations, where it was decided that the unions would send a deputation to negotiate terms with the government.

[8] On the same day, a short film by Lloyd George appeared in various cinemas across the country, defending the government's position and portraying the strike leaders as extremists intent on immiserating the British people.

The government refused and made a counteroffer, this time asking for a truce in exchange for "discussions" surrounding wage stabilization and grade standardization.

On 3 October a signalman who had chosen not to strike had his windows broken and several large stones were placed on rail lines to obstruct passage.

[27] No negotiations took place on 4 October, but the deputation did send a signed message to the government threatening to extend the strike to other trades if they did not adopt "a more reasonable attitude".

This proposal proved contentious due to its exclusion of the Irish railways and shopmen, and it was ultimately voted down by the unions.

A subsequent proposal that included the Irish railways and promised pending negotiations for shopmen was approved on 15 January.