Holding the line: a new look at Grunwick

The Grunwick Dispute (1976–1978) was a landmark struggle led largely by South Asian women workers fighting low pay, poor working conditions, racism, exploitation and the right to union representation.

The dispute began at the Grunwick photo-processing factory in north-west London after workers protested against exhausting conditions, arbitrary management practices and the dismissal of employees who had challenged their treatment. The strike built on earlier industrial action by South Asian workers at places like the Imperial Typewriters in 1974 as migrant workers became increasingly organised and militant.

The strike became a defining moment of solidarity, drawing support from miners, postal workers and trade unionists across Britain, and demonstrating the power of collective action across lines of race, gender and industry. At a time when nationalism, racism, sexism and authoritarian politics are once again on the rise, the lessons of Grunwick remain urgent and inspiring.

This exhibition has been co-curated with 10 young people aged between 18 and 26, bringing new perspectives to this important history using materials from the Working Class Movement Library archives.