trade unions Flashcards
what are trade unions
a group that helps workers and protects their jobs especially skilled workers
what are knobsticks
local workers who refused to strike due to financial reasons and accused of undermining the strike
give 3 reasons for the increase in trade societies
-laissez-faire policies - businessmen could do what they want so less say for workers
-popular with workers
-provided protection for workers
what did the trade unions do in the 18th century
-protect skilled labor
-assist members when unemployed or sick
-helped members “on tramp”
What issues did they face in the 18th century
-suspensions of Haebus Corpus
-1794 - Friendly Society Act
-laissez-faire - exploitation of workers for profit
What did trade unions do in the 19th century
-fought for pay and fairness against profits
-reducing working hours for child labour
-move towards national unions
what issues did 19th century trade unions face
-unions too direct against employers
-employers too powerful
-trade depression in Scotland - limited growth
what were 4 successes of the trade union movement up to 1835
-rise in militancy - workers more organised
-1818 strike involved other industries which threatened national stoppage
-emergence of more well-defined trade unionism
what was the Grand National
the most successful union before 1834 and consolidated trade unions
why did the Grand National fail
-failed to support members on strike
-of 1m members only 16000 paid fees
when was the Combination Act and the master and servant act
1799, 1823
what was the Combination Act
banned organisations of unions
what did the combination act aim to do
-aimed to speed up process of convicting union members
-FR fear
when were the combination Acts repealed
1824
what was the master and servant act
An act to enlarge the Powers of Justices in determining Complaints between Masters and Servants,
who were the tolpuddle martyrs
farmers in a union who wanted to raise their wages from 7s to 10s a week
why were the Tolpuddle martyrs punished
made an unlawful oath (treason) to the landowners and they reported it to the JPs
what was the Tolpuddle martyrs’ punishment
7 years’ transportation in 1834
what was the reaction to the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ punishment
massive public outcry and protests
give an example of the protest caused by the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ punishment
1834 - Copenhagen fields demonstration, 100,000 people, 200,000 sigs on petition seeking pardon
