Failure of Trade Unions

Question 1

Combination Acts

Answer 1

1799-1800 – the Combination Acts made trade unions effectively illegal, you could get a 3 month prison term for anyone found guilty of organising them, although unpopular it actually helped them to grow, primarily a reaction from France – calmed down in 1815, their removal signalled a desire to encourage outlets for workers to register their problems

Question 2

Repeal of the Combination Acts

Answer 2

1824 – repeal of the Combination Acts meant trade unions were formed more often and freely

Question 3

London’s Printer’s Association

Answer 3

1793 – London Printer’s Association - Early unions were looking after their own skilled trades, in 1793 – petitioned their masters for an increase in their fees given the rising cost of living, 539 signatures in support of their demands and this was one of the first shows of unity to generate sufficient concern from their employers

Question 4

Association of Weavers

Answer 4

1799 – The Association of Weavers, rising food prices from war with France in 1793 increased trade unionism, by 1799 weavers in Wigan organised themselves into an association to strengthen their hand in seeking a stop to wage reductions, they had 14 branches in Lancashire by May of 1799, there was a growing sense of mutual support especially as well regarded workforce

Question 5

Philanthropic Hercules (London)/Philanthropic Society (Lancashire)

Answer 5

1818 – 1st effort at creating a general ‘union of unions.’ Sought to unite the working class from across all trades, however, they were unable to establish a core group and therefore were short lived. 5 of their leaders were arrested following strike actions that year

Question 6

Cons of Unions

Answer 6

Unions were localised – lack of national movements meant lack of effectiveness

Question 7

When was the Grand National established?

Answer 7

1834

Question 8

What was the Grand National?

Answer 8

A consolidated trades union, very successful

Question 9

How many members did the Grand National have?

Answer 9

1 million

Question 10

Grand National - the ‘Document’

Answer 10

Although giving the impression of a united organisation representing the interest of workers, it also led to the use of ‘the document’ by employers, which had to be signed by workers to state they were not a member of a union and could not join one. This led to the Grand National collapsing in 1835, as too many workers were being locked out of work as they refused to sign ‘the document’ and leave their respective trade unions – strike funds were too low to support the workers

Question 11

Grand National - funds

Answer 11

• It had meagre funds available in spite of its subscription fees (although these were not always paid by members). Of the 1 million members, only 16,000 paid fees – this was not enough to support a national organisation, and was certainly not enough to cover the costs of striking workers
• In 1834, 1500 mill workers in Derby were locked out of their place of work for failing to leave their union. Despite lasting for 4 months without pay, they had to go back to work eventually, as they weren’t financially supported enough by the Grand National’s small strike funds

Question 12

Knobsticks

Answer 12

Knobsticks were workers who refused to strike due to financial reasons

Question 13

Violence against Knobsticks

Answer 13

The Saw Grinders Union in Sheffield (1866)

Question 14

Why were strikes not effective?

Answer 14

• As part of membership for trade societies, members had to pay into strike funds - may not have been financially possible
• A popular method was to take advantage of the growing population and draft in immigrant workers to replace the striking workers

Question 15

Strikes of the Cotton Spinners in Lancashire

Answer 15

• 1810 and 1818 (this was also supported by the weavers)
• The 1810 strike lasted 4 months and the 1818 strike spread to other industries, including colliers and machine makers, which threatened a nationwide stoppage. The 1818 strike was only brought to an end after 5 members of the organisation were arrested. While the aims of these two strikes were not achieved, they had to be defeated by government-backed employers

Question 16

Government response to trade unionism/policies

Answer 16

Government response to trade unionism before 1850 has been largely negative. The principle of free trade (and their policy of laissez faire) meant they sympathised with employers over workers, because they were generating so much income for the country

Question 17

Limited reforms of the government

Answer 17

• The government only granted limited reforms for workers, for example the Molestation of Workmen Act (1859), which gave rights to workers who picketed peacefully during strikes. However, the definition of ‘peaceful persuasion’ was left for the courts to decide
• Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 – banned trade unions. Punishment was imprisonment for 3 months, and hard labour 2 months. The aim of the Combination Act (1799) was to speed up the legislation process by allowing summary trials before a ‘Justice of Peace’

Question 18

Evidence of a more Enlightened government?

Answer 18

Combination Acts were repealed in 1824