Badge, lapel badge

Enamel badge. SOGAT * NGA * NUJ * AUEW / WAPPING / DISPUTE / 1986'. Designed and produced by veteran National Geographical Association (NGA) activist, John Breen.

Born in Wexford in Ireland, Breen moved to London when his parents went into service with a Harley Street physician. After attending a country boarding school funded by the physician, Breen moved to Shoreditch at 15. Having completed a 7-year apprenticeship as a compositor, he was recruited to the News of the World composing room. Print unions were organised as local 'chapels' with their officials referred to as 'father' or 'mother' of chapel. Breen became a Fleet Street Imperial Father who controlled four chapels.

On 24 January 1986 Rupert Murdoch's News International group relocated from Bouverie Street to Wapping in East London. The new facilities used state-of-the-art computerised printing technology rather than the traditional 'hot metal' processes of Fleet Street. Murdoch sacked 5,500 production and clerical staff triggering the most significant industrial dispute of the decade after the 1984-1985 Miners' Strike.

The two print trade unions, the NGA and the Society of Graphical and Allied Trades (SOGAT), and their supporters picketed 'Fortress Wapping' for over a year. The dispute became increasingly bitter as pickets clashed with the Metropolitan Police. On 5 February 1987 SOGAT's leadership withdrew from the dispute and the print unions were defeated.

Breen became well known in the union movement for his enamel badges, each designed for an individual union, which he sold at rallies. He was also instrumental in securing the NGA Fleet Street archive for the Marx Memorial Library in Clerkenwell.