1C - Change and Challenge in the Workplace, 1918-1945 Flashcards
When was the TUC established and what did they then establish as a result of it?
1900 - then established the Labour Representation Committee (LRC) to pursue parliamentary representation
What happened after WW1 and what consequence did it have?
Brief PW boom = increase in labour disputes as factories took on large numbers of men
What followed the brief post war boom after WW1?
Followed by a slump, hardship led to weakened membership for unions
Why was there industrial change after WW1?
Industry had centred around iron and coal, old machinery, old methods + underinvestment = inability to compete with foriegn goods, unrest took place in these industries
Where were the newer industries after WW1 that had good conditions and wages and what did the specialise in?
South East + Midlands: motor vehicles - mass production techniques of US Henry Ford, light engineering factories producing consumer goods emerged - e.g vacuum
Why was there said to be Two Englands after WW1?
The older industries vs the newer industries. Cotton, mining and ship building lost ⅓ of their workforce vs 40% increase in workforce of service industry
How many strikes were there during WW1 and why was this problematic for DLG?
48 strikes across GB that involved over 200,000 workers,
DLG negotiated with TUs to keep strikes to a minimum due to need for discipline in a wartime economy
What wave of strikes emerged following armastice?
Workers and soldiers as perceived injustices during the war were unleashed
When did strikes decline?
Strikes declined as factories took on more workers. New, well paid jobs = satisfied TUs, 1919 - 32 million days lost to strikes, this fell to 25 million in 1920
What happened in 1921 and what impact did it have on industrial relations?
Unemployment soared, employed workers saw their wages slump, strikes grew reaching 84 million days lost, gov contained strikes by offering concessions.
Who were the Miner’s Federation of GB (MFGB)?
Largest union - 900,000 members. WW1 gov control of coal mines - popular with miners due to perception that pit owners were lazy, greedy and incompetent.
What happened for miners and other industries in 1921?
Gov control ended March 1921. Returned to private industry, wages cut, hours long to compete with foreign imports. High unemployment in 1921 = reduced wages
How did miners oweners respond in 1921 to miners refusing to accept pay cuts?
They locked out their workers on 1 April and used the Emergency Powers Act to send troops in case of violence, miners attempts to strike failed due to other branches bailing e.g railworkers
Why was the 15 April 1921 called Black Friday?
NUR and NTWF decided to go on strike in consolidation with miners. Eventually forced to give up. Accepted pay cuts that left their wages 20% lower than in 1914.
What mistake did miners make in the strike of Black Friday?
Asked for support from other unions but they had refused them a say in the negotiations. Left miners resentful towards other unions.
What did miners hope from the first Labour gov in 1924?
Thought they could boost conditions and wages but Labour gov fell - TU militancy seemed only option
How did SB’s return to the gold standard impact miners?
Left mine owners out of pocket so they cut miners pay resulting in a strike by the MFGB
What did the gov do after the miner’s striked in 1926 due to fears of a general strike?
Established an Samual Commission into the conditions of miners - offered subsidy to mine owners so they could maintain miners’ pay until 1 May 1926, mine owners said would have to accept cuts once subsidy was over
What happened on 1 May 1926?
1 million miners were locked out of their workplaces for refusing to accept lower wages. TUC announced that a GS would begin 3rd May.
How did the gov respond to the general strike?
Gov better organised than TUC: published a propaganda paper - British Gazette and used the BBC to broadcast radio messages in support of the gov
How did the Labour gov react to the general strike?
Labour distanced themselves from strikers and TUC only authorised unions to strike who had common interests with miners e.g railwaymen, dockers, iron, steel
Who replaced strikers while the general strike took place?
Anti union volunteers - Organisation for the Maintenance of Supplies - founded to replace strikers.
When did the 1926 general strike collapse?
1906 Trades Disputes Act that gave unions legal immunity from claims of loss of profits was not applicable. TUC appealed to gov not to victimise strikers. Branded as trouble makers
How did pit owners respond to the general strike?
Wages for miners fell and 30% of jobs were lost. Failure for miners. Trades Disputes Act 1927 - prevented sympathetic strikes and mass picketing.
What impact did the Great Depression have on strikes?
Mass unemployment, TU revenues and membership declined from 8 million in 1922 to 4.5 million in 1932. TUs unable to alleviate the conditions of these areas
How did WW2 impact production?
Movement to war production = full employment + deployment of large numbers of women into factories and jobs previously designated for men
What impact did WW2 have on factories?
Factories fully operational as opposed to lying idle in the 1930s. 1944 - 33% of population in war work including 7 million women
What did Ernest Bevin - Minister of Labour issue during the war?
Essential Work Order 1941 - made people do work essential for the war effort - made it difficult for employers to dismiss them
What happened when there was a shortage of skilled workers during the war?
Control of Employment Act 1939 - semi skilled workers to undertake formerly skilled jobs. Skilled workers were exempt for military service
What did Bevin insist that boosted work conditions during the war?
That employers provide medical centres, canteens, creches for working mothers. ‘Workers Playtime’ established so that workers knew they were essential for the war effort.’ Hours were long but wages increased.
Why was Ernest Bevin good to have as minister of Labour during the war?
Previously been leader of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) - used joint production committees in factories between works and management to improve efficiency and suggested a piece rate
Why did skilled workers and union shop stewards become powerful during the war?
Because of labour shortages and high demand for high quality work.
What had the gov introduced during the war to prevent strikes?
1940 - gov introduced Defence Regulation 58AA banning strikes and lockouts.
What did the miners do in 1942 and what happened?
Striked illegally in Kent. Gov took over running of the coal industry and planned to prosecute 1050 miners and to fine them. Charges were dropped and wages were improved.
Who were the Bevin boys?
Conscripted to work in the mines when miners went on strike. South Wales - 514 strikes between the war years.
What did the Welsh miners do in Spring 1944 and what did it show?
100,000 miners went on unofficial strike for better wages - - paid £5 per day vs average £6.10 per day. Gov gave into demands, showed how wartime was easier to get higher wages than in peacetime.
What did the Samual Report find in 1926?
Critical of mining industry but said wage decreases were necessary
