Story: Strikes and labour disputes

Christchurch tramways strike, 1932

Christchurch tramways strike, 1932

Under a policeman’s watchful eye, striking tramway workers step from a Black Maria into the Christchurch magistrate’s court. The 1932 Christchurch tramways strike was sparked by the sacking of several union members, including the president. It took place during the economic depression, when hundreds of unemployed men were willing to take over the strikers’ jobs. After two weeks the men returned to work, but four years later their union president was elected to the board which ran the trams, and their working hours were reduced.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Herbert Otto Roth Collection (PAColl-4920)
Reference: PAColl-4920-3-11-03

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Mark Derby, 'Strikes and labour disputes - Wars, depression and first Labour government', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/20491/christchurch-tramways-strike-1932 (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Mark Derby, published 11 Mar 2010, updated 1 Mar 2016