The Harbor Strike

Background

Zanarkandia’s economic boom in recent decades was largely fueled by its role in the Adzkhri Merchant Guild, a powerful trading alliance that enhanced the nation’s status as a central hub for maritime trade. However, the benefits of this prosperity were not evenly distributed. While merchants and business owners thrived, the dockworkers in White Harbor endured long hours, unsafe conditions, and minimal pay. Social tensions mounted as the disparity between the wealthy and the working class widened.

The spark for the strike was a tragic accident at White Harbor, where several dockworkers were killed due to the use of unsafe equipment. Outraged by the lack of safety measures, a group of workers, led by Matty Draken, Elara Vestra, and Bastian Oren, organized the first dockworkers’ union in Zanarkandia. They demanded better wages, improved safety standards, and shorter working hours.

The Strike

The strike began with walkouts and slowdowns, crippling operations at White Harbor and causing widespread economic disruption. Public opinion initially favored the dockworkers, but the government, pressured by business elites such as Mr. Vasilis Mercator, declared the strike illegal. Governor Adrielle Castus ordered Captain Lukas Thorne to disperse the strikers, leading to escalating confrontations.

During one clash, Matty Draken was severely injured and captured, weakening the strike’s leadership. Elara Vestra and Bastian Oren continued to lead the remaining strikers in their defiance, but tensions reached a breaking point when government forces, bolstered by private security, launched a coordinated attack. Using tear gas, batons, and lethal force, they violently cleared the docks, leaving many workers injured or dead and effectively crushing the strike.

Aftermath

In the wake of the suppression, swift trials were held. Matty Draken, still recovering from his injuries, was judged in absentia and sentenced to 78 years in prison. Elara Vestra and Bastian Oren were sentenced to 47 years each for “inciting violence and disrupting public order.” Many other strikers received lesser sentences, ranging from a few months to several years.

To quell unrest among the remaining workers, the government mandated modest improvements to labor conditions, including safer equipment, better commodities, and increased wages. However, these concessions were accompanied by severe restrictions on union activities. New laws were enacted to limit collective bargaining and prohibit strikes, while union leaders were closely monitored and harassed.