Britain, Booklet 4, UNIONISM & COOPERATION Flashcards

Question

(Amalgamated Society of Engineers, WHY) - ASE was created in reaction to... - ASE aimed to... however... - There were branches across the country from... - Their organisation became the... - Some claim that through the skilled labourers only caring about themselves, they created an '...'

Answer 1

- In reaction to industrialisation & the growth of unskilled workers which concerned the skilled workers. - Aimed to reassert and protect the rights of skilled workers, however it also divided the workforce between the skilled and unskilled. - Branches from Lancashire to Scotland. - Their organisation became the standard model for all successful TU. - Creating an 'aristocracy of labour' which encouraged resentment between workers; those in unions and those not.

Answer 2

- ASE was led by William Allan, who was the general secretary of the union). 1) There was an Executive Council which was formally in charge. 2) Members of the union had to pay a fee which meant there was often enough to cover strikes. 4) ASE was able to generate £12,000 P.A in 1852, enabled union to look after their own and support smaller unions. - Membership of 12,000, this was achieved by gaining supporters from around the country.

Answer 3

- 1859-60, the London builders went on strike to gain a 9 hour working day. - ASE gave out 3 donations of £1,000 to the builders' strike fund, enabled them to hold out for 6 months. - This forced a compromise from their employers, this showed the effectiveness of the NMU and that it was designed to promote working class interests. - Inspired other unions to consider why the ASE was so effective, it was because it had been formed on a much larger, national organisation.

Answer 4

- Success of the London Builders' strike, model taken up by the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. - The principle set out by the ASE in terms of organisation and structure, kick-started a new union movement across the country, enabled workers (for the 1st time) to compete effectively with employers to avoid abuses. - Promoted a more moderate approach to employer-employee relations. - William Allan believed that respectability was way to achieve their goals, using rational negotiation based on the skill of workers.

Answer 5

- Lucky because through Industrialisation, Britain had become the workshop of the world, relied on continued growth through using skilled workers in increasingly technical workplace (from the 1850's). - Had leverage with employers, NEED SKILLED WORKERS, more success than smaller unions with un-skilled. - In moderate and respectable climate, peaceful negotiations Attracted a more favourable response from politicians and those in positions of influence. - Relations with the Liberal Party which was sympathetic to the wishes of the union, Libs benefited, could tap into large support base of ASE.

Answer 6

- Smaller & less well-skilled unions had a much more difficult time than the ASE, often resorted to traditional methods e.g. strike. - Heightened divisions already in existence, since the ASE adopted the 'new model' whilst smaller, less-skilled workers resorted to traditional methods, e.g. strikes. - End of 1874, British trade union movement had over 1 million, was a group that couldn't be ignored by employers. - Skilled workers had a strong voice to raise concerns and be able to resolve disputes more successfully. Developing their position in the British economy.

Answer 7

- A more regional/national approach to Unions. A greater focus on co-operation and diplomacy rather than militiancy. - 1851, Single Craft Unions, e.g. Amalgamated Society of Carpenters - Had a policy of avoiding strike action. - Union headquaters in London gave secretaries access to parliament. - Secretaties met regularly to share problems, became known as the Junta, meetings led to TU Congress (1868).

Answer 8

- Elements of individualism, prevented it from acting in a truly united fashion. - Lots of local unions, not national, some still radical. - Tended to only operate within their own trades

Answer 9

- POTTER : Believed that if localised unions & national ones could work collectively then they would be better able to defend workers. - DRONFIELD : Promoting the views of the working people who he felt were being largely ignored

Answer 10

- Grouping of local Trade Unions from a given geographical area that met together to promote the interests of their industry within that area, often city-wide organisations. - Limited the scope for a truly national voice.

Answer 11

- Organised by Dronfield, his own experiences urged him to need to address the outlet for unionist views. - After discussion the meting produced the United Kingdom Alliance of Organised Trades, promised to bind unions in mutual support but collapsed in 1867 due to financial problems. - Acted as a catalyst, prompted his friend Samuel Nicholson (President of the Manchester and Salford TC) to invite general trades congress to discuss union issues.

Answer 12

- June 1868, attended by 34 delegates representing more than 118,000 members of unions across the country.

Answer 13

- Put aside their differences with regard to individual interests. - Until 1868, conflict had prevented an effective organisation across the skills divide. - Needed to safeguard union funds.

Answer 14

- Marked a seminal moment for TU, establishing a genuinely universal mechanism for the organisation of British labour. - Following 1868, unions could, with one voice, defend their means and promote the interests of the working class. - Increased political motivations that the Trade Union Congress excluded.

Answer 15

~ Gov response before 1850 had been largely negative. ~ Principle of free trade (and laissez-faire policy) meant they sympathise with employers over workers, because they were generating so much income for the country.

Answer 16

~ New Model Unionism from 1851, mainly due to the power of the ASE and ASCJ which were on a larger scale than previous movements and well financed. ~ Leader of unions, Robert Applegarth (ASCJ) and William Allan (ASE) believed in negotiation rather than militancy which offered comprise & made them more likely to win over the gov and employers.

Answer 17

~ M&S Act, 1823, was reformed in 1867 but not removed. ~ Molestation of Workmen Act, 1859, gave rights to workers who picketed peacefully during strikes but left the definition of ‘peaceful persuasion’ to the courts. ~ Conceding some rights but restraining the power to imprison or act forcefully where necessary.

Answer 18

~ Joined the Reform League to try and extend the franchise. ~ 1867 Reform Act resulted in many skilled workers gaining the vote and reflected the work of the NMU’s in influencing politics to make significant gains.

Answer 19

~ Gov reluctance to accept new trade unions, those with political ambitions had to listen to them. ~ (London Trades Council was particularly dominant under the influence of Applegarth and Allan) could mobilise thousands of workers during general elections. ~ Workers still couldn’t vote, they could attend the public hustings and have influence over others who could vote. ~ Employers could win favour by openly voting for a pro-union candidate.

Answer 20

- TU weren’t granted full legal rights. - Royal Commission (1867) heard from employers and unions who each put forward a strong case as they emphasised the benefits of unionism and their peaceful methods. - It was agreed to give them full legislation together with the protection that went with it including the security of their funds. - Trade Union Act 1871, first time they were entirely legal.

Answer 21

- New Lanark Mill, Clyde Valley (Scotland) was operated by Robert Owen from 1799-1828. - He was a committed reformer, believed strongly in the principle of education and the importance of providing welfare for his employees. - Still wanted to created profit, just not at expense of workers, aimed to create perfect working environment. - Desire to increase productivity was huge, factory system introduced to maximise profits.

Answer 22

- Owen abolished punishments, replaced with incentives to work hard, e.g. 'Silent Monitor' which monitored workers behaviour from 'poor' to 'excellent'. Appealed to their sense of social standing. - From 1800, working day shortened to 12 hours including a 1&1/2 hr break, no child under 10 could work. - Selling good quality products at little more than cost price, profit generated went back to workers in form of free education for their children in schools built on site. - Following USA's ban on cotton supplies to Britain from 1806, Owen continued to pay his workers even though the mill was closed for 4 months.

Answer 23

~ Owen's scoail experiment at NL was pioneering, new type of society in which the lives of workers were improved through reinvestment which created, not only a profitable society, but one where people worked harmoniously together. ~ Drew widespread appeal, the future Tsar of Russia, Grand Duke Nicholas, visited in 1816. ~ 1834, Owen boasted that he maintained annual profits of £300,000 which silenced critics of his methods.

Answer 24

~ Inspire other progressive individuals who liked the ideas of communality and self-improvement. ~ In the poorer economic climate from 1815, these efforts became increasingly popular.

Answer 25

~ Henry Hetherington, formed a Co-operative and Economical Society in 1821 with the aim of setting up a communal house in Spa Fields. ~ Physician William King, published a newspaper entitled ‘The Co-operator’ after 1827 and, although it only ran for 2 years, had a wide readership and managed to circulate ideas of co-operation and link the various groups around the country together.

Answer 26

- Efforts of King and others, co-operation enjoyed a steady growth until 1829 and the spirit of communalism which Owen had pioneered manifested itself in the form of Co-operative stores across the country. - Stores shared their profits with customers and by 1832, there were 500 such stores. - Empowered ordinary people in a world where workers were exploited for personal gain. - Offered an alternative, felt part of a larger community ; Something particularly appealing in a country which was increasingly individualistic and profit-motivated.

Answer 27

- Labour Exchange Bazaars were also introduced at this time, although it only lasted for 2 years. - Involved an exchange of currency based on hours worked rather than monetary value. - People would exchange goods with a credit note showing how many hours it tool to make the product. - This could be traded for another product which took similar amount of hours to produce. - 2 of these were established, one on London in 1832 called the 'National Equitable Labour Exchange'. - Each well supported by TU who appreciated the emphasis on labour value but neither survived due to the accumulation of unwanted goods.

Answer 28

- Struggled due to lack of business sense or inability to attract new members, others were reasonably successful within their immediate locality. - Did inspire hope in the working people of Britain. - However, industrialisation and unregulated capitalism created a fiercely competitive world where the poorest elements of society were continually disadvantaged. - Co-operative model offered a way to dilute the unfairness and industrial capitalism. - Enabled people to improve their lives and led to some improvement in equality between the classes by the 1860's.

Answer 29

- 1844, opened in Rochdale by 28 men who formed the 'Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers', and formalised the model of co-operative business and created the template for future co-operatives.

Answer 30

- Co-operative Congress 1831. - Weekly wages for weavers had fallen by half from the 1820's to 1840's. - Women's wages even lower. - Many people only working 2/3 days a week.

Answer 31

- Bills to gas company, so they didn't supply them with gas. - By the idea of working people setting up their own shop so it was difficult to find one. - Couldn't afford shop furniture. - Refused to work with pioneers so they had to travel to Manchester to buy goods.

Answer 32

- Only best products should be supplied to members. - Full weight and measures should be given (i.e. customers shouldn't be swindled out of products). - Market value charged for products and no credit given. - One member, one vote for the co-operative and women should be members. - Management should be in the hands of elected leaders. - Allotted to education.

Answer 33

- Involving all members in the running of the society. - Married Women's Property Act 1870. - Equal vote in their co-operative societies, 80 years before they had an equal parliamentary vote. - 1 member, 1 vote, stark contrast to practice at the time as only wealthy male landowners could vote. - 1895, International Co-operative Alliance formed, this brought together co-operatives from across the world into a movement that now involves a billion co-operators.

Answer 34

- Importance of education, helped establish access. They arranged discussions and 'self-improvement classes' for members. - 1849, a library committee was established on 1st floor of 31 Toad Lane. - 1853, members decided to devote 2.5% of the profits of the society to education. - 1862, original pioneers invited to a photographers studio, copies of the photo were requested from across the world. - William Cooper in the Daily News said in 1863 that of the 332 co-operative societies then, 251 had been established since 'self-help' was published (history of Rochdale Pioneers).

Answer 35

- Mutual society for the benefit of workers. - 17th century, joined together to support one another during illness or death, grew following a reduction in gov protection from the 1660's. - Absence of gov protection, working men (mainly artisans & skilled workers) organised themselves into groups and paid into a mutual fund with weekly subscriptions. - Used to support those who needed it at a later date, later expanded into a saving-scheme and investment fund after 1817

Answer 36

- 'Royal Foresters' in Yorkshire, formed in 18th Century but splintered into the 'Ancient Order of Foresters' following disagreements in the group. - Array of banners and sashes to distinguish themselves and to show unity within the group.

Answer 37

- By end of 1700's, FS all around the country, as their membership and finances grew, the government became more interested in their activites due to the perceived threat they posed following the 1789 French Revolution. - Many in the gov thought the FS exhibited the same radicalism as that in France and so wanted to regulate them to ensure conformity.

Answer 38

1793. - Had to register with a local justice of the Peace and send reports of their activites every 3 months. - Each society had to draw up rules to govern themselves and these had to be written and not challenge the interests of the government. - Documents had to be kept and given to the courts when necessary.

Answer 39

- 1793. - An attempt to regulate the emerging groups and to keep abreast any of potential threat in the wake of the French Revolution and the subsequent war with France (from 1793). - Gov wanted societies to be transparent but also wanted the administrative burden to put off new societies. - Result was an expansion of FS because they now had now had legal recognition and protection of their funds. - By 1803, 8% of the population were members, and by 1815, 'FS' provided insurance for 1/3 of the population.

Answer 40

- Whilst they were organised by working people for their own benefit, the continuous subscription on a weekly or annual basis meant that the poorest workers were unable to join. - Those with irregular employment (such as seasonal work in farming or ship-building) were unable to afford the fees. - If workers fell behind on payments, they were often removed from the society and were unable to access benefits in spite of paying into the society. - FS often had an air of exclusivity which limited the impression of benevolence they seemed to represent.

Answer 41

- Because of industrialisation, meant that there was a greater desire for working men to organise themselves communally and a financial incentive for doing so because of the benefits they could access for being a member in situations of illness or injury. - Growth of industrial workers in the cities reflected the areas where the friendly societies were most popular. - Membership of FS in 1815 was 19% of the population in the Midlands but only 5.4% of the population in the South-East.

Answer 42

- Against the frequent changes in circumstances associated with industrialisation. - Membership of one society often meant hospitality from others. - The United Society was an association of numerous FS and provided a bed and meals for members who travelled around the country. - Combinations Act had banned early Trade Unions but FS (being regulated), were exempt from this. - Growth of these societies enabled a growth in Trade Unionism (because they shared similar principles), and their ideas, in spite of the government's laws.

Answer 43

- Friendly Societies Act, 1855. - 1846, registering locally with a JP was abandoned and replaced with a central department under a new 'Registrar of Friendly Societies'. - This is because those in government took an even greater interest in the growth of the groups. - Gov interest grew because of the breadth of support for FS. After 1815, membership had reached over 1 million people and the funds the societies held were vast.

Answer 44

- 1855 Act, Gov recognised thr growth of FS and updated the old act to protect funds further. - Following legislation of TU in 1824, FS had a better reputation and the Gov recognised the importance they had in insuring workers and looking after them in times of need. - Set up a proto-welfare state without government help, which protected many within the country, many praised and welcomed the FS self-help ethos.

Answer 45

- So did membership of FS (due to the effective social insurance), their membership outnumbered trade unions by 4 to 1 by 1870. - Began offering pensions and savings which made life more bearable for working people. - Strong links throughout this period because their interests were very similar and they provided support for the workers, something the government failed to do.

Answer 46

- Relationship between employers and employees. - Before 1785, workers at the mercy employers but by 1870 they enjoyed greater influence. - More socially responsible society emerged, first through TU, then co-operatives. - Collectively, these movements, particularly unionism after 1852, offered an alternative way for the classes to interact instead of the traditional combative approach they had previously adopted.

Answer 47

- Grand National (fail). - NMU (very good). - Trade Councils. - Trade Union Congress.

Answer 48

- NMUs. - TUC. - Trade Councils. - Pre-1850s TU.

Answer 49

- Principle of self-help. - Solidarity and communal living (Robert Owen). - Economic aspect. - Rochdale Pionners.

Answer 50

- Support for TU. - Luddism/swing riots. - Radical Societies. - Friendly societies.

Answer 51

- Robert Owen's New Lanark. - Rochdale Pioneers. - Cooperative activities (500, National Equitable...) - Friendly societies.

Answer 52

- Financial development (NMU, TUC). - Increase in size (1 mill members, acts). - Regionalism (NMUs still trade isolated).