Trade Unionism - Red Clydeside Flashcards
Glasgow rent strike - Events - What was the background of the Glasgow rent strikes
In wartime Glasgow, there were about 70,000 more residents than there were pre war – with increased demand for accommodation, landlords could raise rents – if tenants could not pay, they would be evicted – this hit hardest the women whose husbands were away with the army – landlords could obtain a court order to allow the forcible eviction and to take property to make up the value of the missing rent
Glasgow rent strikes - Events - What happened during the protests?
This led to protests mainly led by women including Mary Barbour – they blocked bailiffs entering properties, and picketed the houses of landlords who had evicted tenants – by Nov 1915, there were 25,000 people involved in the strikes – across Glasgow, committees of workers in munitions factors and dockyards threatened sympathy strikes in support of the protesters – this included every industrial area across Glasgow – to avoid strikes, the gov ordered the police to halt legal action against protesters
Glasgow rent strikes - Significance - Why was this a real concern?
This was a real concern for gov since it threatened strikes in vital munitions factories – from May 1915, the British Army was already facing shall shortages, so this posed a serious issue
Glasgow rent strikes - Significance - Why was gov wary of angering TUs?
Gov was already wary of angering TUs, since the June 1915 Munitions of War Act introduced dilution and prevented workers from changing factories for better paid jobs without permission – unpopular with TUs
Glasgow rent strikes - Significance - Which groups worked together and what did this show?
Glasgow Women’s Housing Association, Clyde Workers Committee, and the ILP all worked together, showing the potential of cooperating union pressure
Glasgow rent strikes - Significance - What did employers fear?
Employers, fearing conflict with workers over an issue that did not involve them, supported the strikes
Glasgow rent strikes - Significance - What did Lloyd George introduce in Nov 1915 and what did it demonstrate?
In Nov 1915, Lloyd George introduced the Rent Restriction Act, which guaranteed pre-war rent levels would be fixed until the end of the war - it demonstrated the ability of the Unions to pressure gov
Glasgow rent strikes - Significance - What did the ILP do during the protests and what impact did this have?
The ILP supported the protests and voiced the concerns of the workers, strengthening the TU’s voices nationally
The 40 Hour Strike - Events - What was gov policy re working week and what did events in Europe do?
Gov policies required a 54-hour working week from 6am to 5:30pm in the week, and until noon on Saturdays – the Bolshevik seizure of power in Russia in 1917 and the Spartacist uprising in Germany in 1919 encouraged workers hoping for change
The 40 Hour Strike - Events - What happened on 27th Jan 1919?
On 27th Jan 1919, the Clyde Workers’ Committee began a strike which involved 70,000 workers where workers stopped working in Glasgow – on the 29th they presented a petition for a 40 hour working week to the Lord Provost and requested that it be presented to P
The 40 Hour Strike - Events - What happened on the 31st Jan 1919?
On the 31st Jan, 60,000 workers and their supporters gathered in George Square under a large red flag to hear the response – this response was a rejection – it had already been published in the Glasgow Herald that morning – a small group went into the City Chambers to discuss the matter, while other leaders gave speeches to the crowd
The 40 Hour Strike - Events - What happened as a result and injury number?
Fighting broke out between the protestors and the police – the Sherriff read the Riot Act but by reports from witnesses it was knocked from his hand – the fighting lasted several hours around Glasgow – 19 policemen and 34 protesters were injured
The 40 Hour Strike - Events - What did the gov do to combat this?
The gov deployed 6 tanks and troops to restore order – machine guns were also put up on high buildings
The 40 Hour Strike - Significance - What did the engineering unions succeed in doing later?
Although the event failed, subsequently the national engineering unions succeeded in obtaining a 47 hour working week
The 40 Hour Strike - Significance - What did the events generate and gov reaction highlight?
The events generated awareness of the potential threat of industrial action – the strong gov reaction showed how much of a threat industrial action could be