3: Unions and their opponents (1785-1834) Flashcards
what were trade societies
early trade unions, who undertook to provide the basic protections that their members needed
who were trade societies created by
skilled tradesmen such as printers, cobblers and mechanics
why were trade societies created
trade societies were primarily interested in…
protecting their own trade in their immediate area rather than any sense of class loyalty
what was closed shop
only members of the union could be employed by the company
prominent trade society example
London printers
in 1793 they petitioned their masters for an increased wage (due to a rising cost of living) and obtained 539 signatures. This unity generated success from their movement.
why were trade societies generally effective when they took action?
the skilled labour they provided was not easily replaced if work was stopped.
how did trade societies protect skilled labour
they regulated the apprenticeship process and embarked on an early form of ‘closed shop’ practices
the strength in trade societies lay in..
collective bargaining and a sense of unity
individuals who continued working when there was a strike…
were labelled as pariahs and ‘knobsticks’ due to their negative effect on the strike’s success
abuse towards ‘knobsticks’
verbal abuse - being called ‘knobstick’
physical abuse - e.g. in the 1866 Saw Grinders’ Union in Sheffield
employers during strikes
took advantage of the growing population and drafted immigrants to fill the space. Usually Irish descendants who were desperate to work.
‘The Association of the Weavers’ trade union
created 1799 in Wigan
to stop wage reductions.
by the end of the year they had 14 branches in Lancashire
2 impacts of the growth of unionism
- rise in militancy (as workers could afford to do this due to strike funds)
- emergence of a more definitive trade union (unions of unions)
GNCTU
1834 - Grand National Consolidated Trade Union
more than 1 million members
however, it generated widespread use of the Document
even though the growth of unionism was happening… (4)
- still no equal discussion between employer/employees as power remained with employer
- loyalty to individual trades undermined the creation of a national body
- The Document was being used across Britain
- unions were struggling with limited funds
example of unions struggling with funds
GNCTU - of the claimed 1 million members, only 16,000 actually paid the fee
The Document
employers forced workers to sign before starting work to say they were not in a union.
if existing employees refused to sign, they would find themselves locked out of their workplace e.g. in Derby.
3 reasons for growth of unionism
- free trade mentality AND industrial employer mentality
- increased population reinforced employer freedom
- wars with France increased cost of living
1799 and 1800 Combination Acts forced unions to..
communicate via rail/postal networks and paved the way for bigger unions of unions.
2 examples of larger unions, paving the way for a national body
1818 - Philanthropic Hercules in London
1829 - John Doherty’s Grand General Union of the Operative Spinners.
(both only short term but had a large WC following showing the determination to wider unions even when under Combination Acts - 1824 repeal)
were they popular (combination acts)
no, they were the source of much WC discontent
who passed Combination Acts
William Pitt
what did the combination acts do specifically
sped up trial process with a 3 month prison term for anyone guilty of organising.
what did the combination acts do specifically?
sped up trial process with a 3 month prison term for anyone guilty of organising
laissez faire attitude
supported employers as the government believed prosperity was more achievable if regulation was kept to a minimum.
Unionism was seen as an obstacle to wealth creation
enforcing the Combination Acts
poorly unenforced as older measures were more severe and therefore favourable e.g. 1979 Unlawful Oaths Act
largely enforced after 1815 as the French radical threats were dispelled
the repeal of the Combination Acts showed..
a more enlightened government who were sympathetic to the WC
AND how prosperity returned after 1820 with better harvests
1820s prosperity
food prices 1/3 lower than in previous decade
what act was passed after the repeal
Combination of Workmen Act 1825 - which prohibited picketing
what year was the master and servant act
1823
although the government was appearing more liberal..
they maintained a stronger connection with the employers
what did the Master and Servant Act do
made the breaking of a contract punishable by prison.
under the act, a strike which resulted in work not being completed was considered a breach.
between 1857 and 1875..
there were on average 10,000 prosecutions a year from the Master and Servant Act
the growth of unionism and the efforts to formulate a single general union..
restarted government worry, especially since it spread unionism into the countryside
rural workers already discontent (pre-Tolpuddle)
machinery replacing labour - Swing Riots 1830
Tolpuddle overview
Dorset, 6 farm labourers formed a union to protest their reduced wages of 6s a week (average 10s) in 1834. The Unlawful Oaths act was invoked and they were given 7 year sentence and transportation.
main Tolpuddle Martyr
george loveless
government response to unionism after 1793
french revolution reinforced the government’s belief in the danger of organised labour against the employer/the system
why did ‘knobsticks’ continue working
usually because their family needed the money
