TRADE union banners were marched through Derby on Saturday in honour of workers involved in Britain’s first major industrial dispute — the Silk Mill Lockout.

In 1833, workers at a Silk Mill struck after the mill’s “master” sacked a worker for refusing to pay a fine for “shoddy work.”

The factory’s workers walked out and were followed by workers from other factories until 2,400 were out. The dispute lasted a year and, along with Tolpuddle, became part of Britain’s labour and trade union history.