New Model Unionism Flashcards
Who were the Amalgamated Society of Engineers ?
Combination of 3 smaller unions, set up in 1851
What was the creation of the ASE a reason for?
Reaction to industrialisation which saw the growth of unskilled labour, which skilled workers argued was dropping down wages - way to reassert skilled labour
What did the creation of new model unionism create?
A feeling of division of labour which meant many workers felt needs weren’t met and considered
Who was the leader of the ASE?
William Allan
How did the ASE make itself a movement for skilled unionism?
Required a payment of members (in 1852 it made £12,000)
What strikes occurred in 1859-60 which the ASE supported?
London Builders Strike, with the aim to reduce working hours to 9 a day
How did the ASE support the 1859-60 strikes?
Provided £1000 financial support, which allowed the strikers to hold out for 6 months and achieve their aims
What was the significance of help from the ASE in 1859?
Showed by using New Model Unionism they could promote working class interests, and inspired other unions to follow their model so stopped localised unions
How many members did the ASE have at one point?
12,000
Which union was founded in 1860 based off the NMU model?
ASCJ (Amalgamates society of carpenters and joiners)
What was the significance of NMU?
The national scale model and increased funding allowed unions to compete with employers to benefit their best interests
What were the manners of the ASE which made it more successful?
More moderate - used negotiation + strikes which was more favourable with the government and public as less was inconvenienced
Why did ASE focus more on skilled labour?
Could provide funds to finance movements + by 1850 industrial developments meant more skilled labour was required so increased their importance
What were the issues of NMU ?
Didn’t benefit working class as they had no leverage, which created divisions in unions between skilled and unskilled workers
What is a fact to show the influence NMU had?
By 1874, 1 million trade union members - finally gave skilled workers an opportunity to promote their interests
What was created in 1860, and what was its aim?
London Trades Council (led by George Potter), showed localised unions working together
What was the significance of the London Trades Council?
Involved working class - before this were largely being ignored, aimed to represent those in London
How many members were there of the London Trades Council in 1866?
100,000 - other branches also but would meet in London
Why were trade councils able to effectively grow?
Led by figures of the ASE - also shows unity between movements
Why did George Potter create the idea for the Trade Unions Congress?
The trade councils were still regional, also feared uprisings from smaller unions as they were upset at the moderate approach of the New Model Unions
What was organised in Sheffield in 1866?
A meeting attended by 138 delegates organised by William Dronfield
What was the purpose of the Sheffield Meeting 1866?
Intentions to arrange an annual conference for unions to speak about aims and desires, so goals of all could be met
What did the 1866 Sheffield Meeting inspire in Manchester?
Another meeting attended by 34 delegates, representing 118,000 members , arranged by Samuel Nicholson
What was the significance of these trade union meetings ?
Joined skilled and unskilled unions
