Industrial Unrest Flashcards
When did the miners’ strike take place in South Wales?
September 1910 - August 1911
What caused the miners strike in South Wales?
- Miners refused new wage rates offered by the Conciliation Board, and wanted a new minimum wage
- A violent clash between strikers and the local police happened in Tonypandy in November
- Churchill delayed army intervention by not issuing specific orders when he sent them out
When was the sailors, dockers and railway strike?
August 1911
What caused the sailors, dockers and railway strike?
Troops and police officers clashed with strikers at the Liverpool Docks
When was the Railway workers strike?
August 1911
What caused the Railway workers strike?
- First ever national railway strike
- It was called after workers became frustrated with the failure of their Conciliation Boards to meet their demands
- The government intervened and the strike was settled in the union’s favour, largely due to the negotiating skills of David Lloyd George
When was the second miners’ strike?
February 1912
What caused the second miners’ strike?
- They hoped to win a minimum wage
- The government intervened and settlement was reached
- The principles of a minimum wage was accepted, though its rate wasn’t what the miners had campaigned for
When was the National Docks strike?
May 1912
What was the government involvement in the National Docks strike?
The government intervened but were unable to find a solution
What was the nature of the strikes?
- Many appear to have been less focused and more ‘political’ as they expressed discontent with authority as much as concern about pay or conditions
- Economic (wages and social (conditions)) not political
- Strikes start at a local level and develop to the region and then nationally
What was the Triple Alliance?
- Formed in 1914 by miners coming together with the dockers and railwaymen
- It was unofficial and the three unions didn’t act in unison
- The lack of coordination among the unions rather than government conciliation was what prevented the threat of a general strike
What were the main causes of the strikes 1910-1914?
- Focus of strikes were about wages, conditions, union recognition and job security (unemployment)
- Most of the Trade Unions ‘rank and file’ members who were not necessarily particularly motivated, but in some cases they were led by people who were - some of whom were syndicalists
What was the rise and impact of urbanisation?
- Large and intensely populated towns and cities - working class people living in overcrowded conditions, promoted class consciousness
- People very aware of poor living conditions and poor wages on a large scale
- Growth of political ideas - ‘socialism’
> As education improved it became easier to spread political ideas
> Labour party sought to spread ideas - Fabians
What was the Osborne Judgement 1909?
- Essentially stopped Trade Unions using funds for political purposes. In short, it became more difficult for Trade Unions to give money to the Labour Party
- Trade Unions lose their political voice to an extent
- Strikes
