10. Successes of Trade Unions Flashcards
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
Name some hostile policies which harmed these unions
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
1799-1800 Combination Acts
1823 Master and Servant Act
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
Which group made national headlines with a strikes
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
Bradford Combers and Weavers Union
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
What did a London Newspaper say about the Bradford Combers and Weavers Union
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
“The People of Bradford…are champions of common interest”
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
What was the outcome of Bradford strikes?
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
Failed after 23 weeks even after receiving £15,000 from supporters
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
Name some cooperatives and the years they were set up - how many set up by 1830?
Early Unions (18th and 19th Century)
London 1832
Birmingham 1833
Failed strikes in 1825
By 1830 over 300 set up
New Model Unions
What characterised the New Model unions formed by skilled workers?
- The New Model unions used conservative methods instead of militancy and focused on larger unions.
- They were well organised, with Executive councils and general secretaries.
New Model Unions
How did the New Model unions secure funding for their activities?
- Members of the New Model unions were well-paid and could afford union fees.
- In 1852, the ASE (Amalgamated Society of Engineers) had an annual income of £12,000.
New Model Unions
How did the ASE support builders in London during a strike for a 9-hour working day?
- The ASE backed the builders’ strike and provided financial support.
- With three £1000 donations from the ASE, the builders were able to hold out for 6 months.
New Model Unions
What was the outcome of the builder’s strike supported by the ASE?
- As a result of the strike, an agreement was reached with their employer, Trollope.
- The success of the builder’s strike led to the formation of the ASCJ (Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners).
New Model Unions
How did the ASE establish positive relations with the Whig party?
- The ASE formed positive relations with the Whig party, which showed support from Members of Parliament sympathetic to the union’s wishes.
New Model Unions
What were the achievements of the New Model unions, particularly the ASE?
- In the long term The New Model unions, achieved a 9-hour working day.
- These achievements demonstrated that their interests were not rooted in violence and that they took a moderate approach to promote working-class interests.
The Grand National
When was the Grand National union formed and what distinguished it?
The Grand National union was formed in 1834 and was the first national union with over 1 million members.
The Grand National
What was the significance of “the Document” used by employers?
“The Document” was a requirement for workers to sign, stating that they were not a union member and would not join one.
The Grand National
What was the focus of the Grand National union and how did it impact their unity?
- The Grand National union focused on trade-specific interests rather than broader workers’ rights.
- Despite giving the impression of being one union, they remained independent and focused on their own trade interests.
The Grand National
What happened to the mill workers in Derby in 1834 and how did the Grand National union respond?
- In 1834, 1500 mill workers in Derby were locked out of work for failing to leave their union.
- The lockout lasted for 4 months without pay, but the workers had to return to work because the Grand National union did not provide sufficient support.
The Grand National
What led to the collapse of the Grand National union in 1835?
By 1835, only 16,000 members of the Grand National union paid fees, leading to its collapse.
TUC
Who were the founders of the TUC (Trades Union Congress)?
The TUC was founded by George Potter and William Dronfield.
TUC
What was the main focus of the TUC?
The TUC focused on workers’ rights and promoting collaboration between national and local working groups.
TUC
How would you describe the scope of the TUC?
The TUC was a universal trade union operating on a national scale.
TUC
How many members did the TUC have by the end of 1874?
By the end of 1874, the TUC had over 1 million members from various trade unions.
TUC
What was the significance of the formation of the London Trades Council in 1860?
The London Trades Council was formed in 1860 and aimed to represent the people of London.
TUC
What led to the formation of the TUC in June 1868?
- The Sheffield Meeting, formed by William Dronfield, failed in 1867 due to financial issues and the treasurer’s involvement in the Sheffield Outrage.
- In June 1868, a meeting took place with 34 delegates representing 118,000 trade union members, resulting in the formation of the TUC.
TUC
What challenges did the TUC face regarding the protection of union funds?
Following the Friendly Societies Act of 1867, union funds were not protected.
TUC
What legislative support did the TUC receive?
The TUC supported the 2nd Reform Act and the new Labour Representation Act, which sent working men to Parliament.
TUC
What proposal was made by A.W Walton in August 1869?
A.W Walton proposed the establishment of a cooperative building society.
What are the four areas for this plan?
- Early Unions
- Grand National
- New Model Unions
- TUC
