2018 new model unions

Question 1

new model unions

Answer 1

• sufficient funding demonstrated by 1859-60 builders strike, ASE able to stabilise strikers for 4 months because of 3 £1000 donations from ASE, allowing them to come to an agreement with their employer (Trollope)
• led to ASCJ (amalgamated society of carpenters) based on the ASE model of organisation
  -more organised and well backed. Are had 12000 members and £12000 in 1862
• ASE had positive relations with sympathetic Whig party, shows backing from MPs
• created an aristocracy of labour, focused on skilled members, making it more successful than smaller unions with less skilled membership.
• in long term achieved 9 hour working day, and showed that they were non-violent and promoted the interests of the working class, where also moderate.

Question 2

TUC (trade union congress)

Answer 2

• 34 delegates representing 118000 trade union members in 1868
  -universal trade union on a national scale
• superseded London Trades Council
• by 1874 had over 1 million members of trade unions
• held less influence than middle class industrialists and MPs when lobbying, meaning parliament was working against movements for workers rights

Question 3

pre 1850s trade unions

Answer 3

• survived hostile gov attitude of Laissez Faire (1799-1800 combination acts, 1823 Master and Servant act) demonstrates strength.
• Grand National, first nationwide union with 1 million members, however collapsed due to insufficient funds as only 16000 fees paid by members
  -1799 weavers in Wigan set up association to assist stopping wage reduction, practice quickly spread - 14 branches across Lancashire by may 1799
• strikes in Lancashire 1810 and 1818:
• 1810 lasts 4 months
• 1818 only stopped once 5 members arrested, stopped by gov backed employers, led to repeal of combination acts in 1824 by Lord Liverpool
• 1818 strikes led to emergence of more well defined trade unionism by late 1820s and 1834 general trades union was established