Plan Flashcards
What was the TUC
Founded in 1868 organised by William dronfield and george potter and offered a broader forum for union activity
What was new model unionism
Development of larger unions by skilled workers who used more conservative methods of negotiations which were acceptable to the establishment
A movement on national level could potentially mobilise thousands of people at general elections
Old model
More localised unions
Amalgamated society of engineers
Founded in 1851 under William Allan which had a strict administrative system with tax levied membership so could provide adequate strike funds
Who did the ASE fund
1859-60 they supported the London builders who were seeking a reduction in the working day
3 x £1000 so they managed to hold out for 6 months and succeeded
How did skilled workers succeed in NMU and did this help the tuc
They were heavily relied on in the rapidly industrialising economy so they acquired a lot of leverage and as the skilled were gaining in respect they were able to change the Gov’s attitudes and the power of the size of national unions was more threatening
Direct link between ASE and nmu
Leaders of the ase helped organise the London trades council 1860 which started the TUC
Evaluation of NMU
Only skilled workers which created the aristocracy of labour which made it difficult to unite the working class until 1868 so could have hindered the process of the TUC
What did the TUC owe to the earlier trade movements
Inspired the need for combining w/c interests using strike action- mutual support
Examples of the earlier trade societies
1793 London printers gained 539 signatures
And the 1799 weavers in Wigan by may had 14 branches
how did the weavers in Wigan inspire the TUC
Shows thar greater size means greater bargaining power
Evaluation of earlier movements
Lacked the administration that the NMU had and that the TUC had and so were unable to succeed on a local scale against the growing use of the document
How did the NMU’s action benefit trade unions
More acceptable to the establishment so the molestation of workmen act in 1859 conceded more rights to these who chose to picket peacefully
GNCTU- earlier trade movements
By 1834 they had accumulated 1million members - started by Robert Owen aimed to create w/c solidarity between all skilled and unskilled trades
How did the GNCTU inspire the TUC
National union and highlighted how popular the movement could be but also its failures highlighted what the TUC needed to do with better strike funds gathered under better administration and these influenced the NMU which created the conditions and the template for the TUC
