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when were the combination Acts repealed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
-cross trade co-ordination grew
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
what committee raised money to support families in response to the tolpuddle martyrs
London Dorchester Committee
what impact did the tolpuddle martyrs have on their return from Australia
-treated like heroes
-Lord John Russell accepted pardons
-helped mining and textiles industries push back against employers
-end of extremist action
what is New Model Unionism and when did it emerge
-much more effective form of the union movement
-1850
what was the most important union to develop after 1850 and when was it founded
-amalgamated society of engineers (ASE)
-1851
why was the ASE created
-reaction to industrialisation and growth of unskilled workers which concerned skilled workers - lots of workers = wages decreased
what were the aims of the ASE and what did this do
-to reassert and protect the rights of skilled workers
-enhanced the trade union movement
what is a negative of the ASE
created an ‘aristocracy of labour’ which encouraged resentment between skilled workers in unions and unskilled who aren’t
who led the ASE
William Allen
how did they ensure the system of the ASE would last
-adopted a rigid administrative system
-there was a executive council who was formally in charge
why did members have to pay a fee
to make sure there was enough to cover striking workers
what did the members being well paid enable for the ASE
enabled them to generate considerable incomes
in 1852 what was the ASE’s income per year
£12000
what did the ASE’s income enable
look after members and support other unions
what was the membership of the ASE and how was this achieved
-12000
-gaining support from workers across the country
what was the ASE’s most significant action
the London Builder’s Strike
when was the London Builders Strike
1859-60
why did the London Builders strike
to gain a 9 hour working day
why were the London Builders able to strike for so long and how long did they strike for
-ASE gave three donations of £1000
-6 months
how did the ASE help trade unions
-showed the effectiveness of NMUs
-inspired other unions to form larger, national organisations
give examples of other NMUs and the dates when they were formed
-Miners Association of Great Britain - 1842
-Glasgow Carpenters Union - 1834
what were the limitations of NMUs and national unions
-excluded skilled workers
-only operated with their own trades
-still retained some elements of individualism - prevented from acting united
what was the motive of George Potter and William Dronfield in created the Trade Unions Congress
-saw great value in bringing unions together
-more motivation if voices are heard
-Potter believed more localised unions would work better and be able to defend workers’ rights
what were Trade Councils
grouping of local trade unions from a local area that met together to promote interests of their industry within an area
why were Trade Councils created
-offered broader forum for union activity but retained individuality
-represented workers of London
what was the Sheffield meeting, when was it and how many attended
-first TUC meeting
-1868
-34
what did the Sheffield meeting do
produced the United Kingdom alliance of trades which promised to bind unions but collapsed in 1867
why was the organisation overseeing unions seen as necessary
-disagreements over how to seek workers rights
-1867 union funds not protected under Friendly Societies Act
-more organisation across skills divide
which organisation was the forerunner of the TUC and formed in 1860
London Trades Council
by 1784 how many workers had joined a trade union
over 1 million
what was the government response to trade unionism before 1850
-largely negative
-principle of free trade = more sympathy towards employers over workers
what made the government change their opinion of trade unionism after 1850
development of NMUs from 1851
why did the government accept NMUs
-power of the ASE and ASCJ - larger scale and well financed
-there methods were more acceptable to conservatives
what did Robert Applegarth and William Allen (leaders of unions) believe in that the conservatives accepted
negotiation over militancy
what did the government do in response to NMUs
-careful and conservative reform for workers e.g The Molestation of Workmen Act, 1859
what was reformed in 1867 but not removed
The Master and Servant Act
what did union members do to try and extend the franchise
join the reform league
why did the government have to listen to unions
-Trade councils could mobilise thousands of workers during elections and workers could attend public hustings to influence voters
why would union backing of a candidate be significant
employers could win favour by openly voting for a pro-union candidate
what did the royal commission do for trade unions
heard from employers and unions who emphasised the benefits of unionism and their peaceful methods
what did the royal commission lead to
-Trade Union Act, 1871
what did the Trade Union Act do
-gave them full legislation together with protections and security of funds
-legalised unions
who planned the first TUC meeting
Samuel Nicholson and William Wood
who was Robert Owen
-operated New Lanark mill
-committed reformer who believed in education and providing welfare for employees
what did Owen want for his business
wanted to create profit but not exploit his workers to do this
what did Owen believe in
in order to promote better human beings the environment needed to be improved
give an example of cooperative activities inspired by Owen
-William King published a newspaper called The Co-operator - wide readership
when were Co-operative stores formed and why
-1829
-people liked the spirit of communalism and the King encouraged it
how many co-operative stores were there in 1832
500
why were co-operative stores popular
-people had more control and felt part of a community
-alternative to individualistic and profit-motivated society
-stores run by people interested in the customers’ well-being - dividends
-inspired hope
what is one negative of the co-operative stores
many struggled due to lack of business sense and inability to draw customers
give aims and examples of what co-operatives did
-abolished punishments to raise productivity
-improved living conditions
-shops opened selling good quality food
-perfect working environment - making better people
what was the name of the exchange in London and Birmingham
National Equitable Labour exchange
how much profit did New Lanark receive
£300,000
who visited in 1816
the Tsar
who wasn’t allowed to work there
children under 10
who formed the co-operative shop in 1844
the Rochdale Pioneers
what problems were the first co-operative congress (1831) trying to stop
-food prices high
-weavers’ wages halved from 1820s-40s
-womens’ wages lower
-workers lived in poor housing
what problems did the new co-operative shops have
-lack of business experience
-couldn’t afford shop furniture
-gas company refused to supply gas to light shops
what were some of the Rochdale principales
-money provided by pioneers with fixed interest
-only best products and full weight and measures given
-women should be members
-1 member, 1 vote for co-operative
how successful were the Pioneers and co-operatives until 1870
-provided education
-new societies asked pioneers for advice
-1869 - representatives gathered
what did friendly societies do and when did they grow
-workers who supported one another when needed
-1660s after reduction in gov protection
how were friendly societies funded
workers organised themselves into groups and paid into a mutual fund
how were friendly societies successful
-friendly societies across the country - membership and finances grew
-legal recognition and protection of funds
-offered pensions and savings
-gov interest grew
-protected workers against change in circumstances
-1803 - 8% were members
-1815 - provided insurance for 1/3 of pop
what were the continuing problems of friendly societies
-membership wasn’t open to all
-poorest workers were unable to join due to membership fee
-if workers fell behind payments they were removed = air of exclusivity
