Trade unions Flashcards
What evidence is there that Glasgow was a centre of industrial unrest during the war (population wise)?
What was the extent of war production?
It was home to 370,000 ship builders, miners and engineers
Clydeside built 481 ships for the navy during the war, and provided 90% of the armour plating needed for tanks
What was discontent in Glasgow caused by in 1915?
discontent was caused by profiteering from landlords who gained from the influx of workers, thereby increasing rent
What organisation called the rent strike?
The Glasgow women’s housing association; working men soon joined in, demanding better pay and conditions- The protestors became known as ‘Ms Barbours army’
How many people were involved in the rent strike by 1915? What was the significance of the strike
25,000 people involved, mainly women
The government passed the rent restriction act which limited rent and mortgage rates to pre war levels
*Through industrial & militant protest, in an area essential for wartime production, the rent strikes and trade unionists had won a significant improvement in living conditions
What was the 40 hour strike?
In Jan 1919, a local strike (not supported by the TUC), was organised in Glasgow to campaign for a 40 hour working week, by the Joint strike committee of Glasgow
What was the authorities response to the 40 hour strike ?
The authorities were convinced a socialist uprising was taking place and dispatched troops and tanks to the city; Riot in George square
What was raised during the 19 hour strike? what was the effect of this?
the red flag- socialist connotations
How many people were on strike? Where did it spread to?
50,000 were on strike in Glasgow
unrest spread to London with underground striking too.
Between feb and march 1919, it appeared GB was on the verge of social revolution.
What was the effect of the 40 hour strike?
Via fears of socialist revolution, the TU’s influence increased, with the gov depending on TU’s to control industrial unrest. However, the authorities decision to prematurely resort to military intervention rather than negotiation meant the city became a centre of labour support, securing 10/15 seats available.
How did the war put men in a strong bargaining position? How many were there?
with 5 million from a workforce of 15 million men overseas, the remaining workers were in a strong bargaining position
Who did Asquiths 1915 coalition include?
Liberal PM Asquiths 1915 coalition included labour leader Arthur Henderson
Why was the nationalisation of industry positive?
Nationalisation of industry to ensure output remains high put the trade unions in a stronger bargaining position to negotiate higher wages/conditions
Describe GB’s post war economy?
Despite an initial boom, GB’s economy suffered to recapture trade markets it had dominated in 1914 & GB’s industry found itself uncompetitive due to higher wages and shorter hours won by TU’s during the war
THUS, to increase competitiveness business owners sought to reverse these two factors
When was the Munitions of war act? What did it do?
1915; placed constraints upon workers freedom giving the gov power to regulate wages hours and employment conditions + leaving certificates could prevent skilled workers from moving into unskilled yet better paid work
How did the government t increase its power over TU’s 1919-21?
Anti strike tactics developed under the industrial unrest committee, later the supply and transport committee (STC), headed by Eric Geddes
