Localism and Industrial Conflict: The 1911–12 Lithgow Ironworks Strike Revisited

Abstract

The paper looks at industrial conflict and the concept of ‘localism’, which is a sense of identity based on place. It focuses on three dimensions of localism during industrial disputes in small industrial towns and cities: the role of the local entrepreneurs, particularly retailers; the role of the local state-municipal government; and the relationship between strikers and workers in other locations. While both retailers and local government may give support to strikers, they are dependent on private capital to inject funds into the locality. This paper argues that despite these constraints, retailers and local government may be more sympathetic to strikers if the employer is perceived as an ‘outsider’. Also, sympathy for the strikers will increase if there is a ‘white knight’ willing to take over the plant who is more sympathetic to labour and local interests. Localism may also lead to divisions between strikers and the broader labour movement. This paper focuses on the lengthy 1911–12 Lithgow Ironworks Strike to examine localism.

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