Trade Unions and the Government

Question 1

What was union membership before WW1?

Answer 1

4 million

Question 2

What was union membership during WW1?

Answer 2

6 million

Question 3

What was union membership after WW1?

Answer 3

8 million

Question 4

What impact did the increase in membership have on the unions?

Answer 4

Strengthened - The gov depended on workers in key industries such as steel, engineering to fight the war. This put the unions in a stronger bargaining position to negotiate for higher wages and better conditions.

Question 5

What was the Triple Alliance?

Answer 5

An alliance between the National Transport Workers’ Union, the National Union of Railwaymen and the Miners’ Federation. These three major unions agreed to sympathy strike to support each other.

Question 6

When was the Triple Alliance formed?

Answer 6

1914-15

Question 7

Name three reasons why the First World War improved conditions of the labouring classes?

Answer 7

1. With 5 million soldiers fighting overseas the remaining workers were in a much stronger bargaining position.
2. Asquith’s 1915 coalition included Arthur Henderson (Labour leader). In 1916 Lloyd George included 2 more trade union leaders. This strengthened the trade union voice in gov.
3. The gov nationalised several key industries e.g. coalmines and railways. Trade Unions cooperated better with the gov.

Question 8

What was the role of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC)?

Answer 8

Administrative and organisational council to help the unions work together. It had no formal power but could act as an organisation to speak up for different unions.

Question 9

Why was there a wave of rent strikes in Glasgow in 1915?

Answer 9

Large numbers of people came to live in Glasgow to work in shipyards during the war. Landlords exploited the increased demand for housing by increasing rents.

Question 10

How many people took part in the rent strikes?

Answer 10

By November 1915, 25,000 people were involved - mostly women.

Question 11

What happened during the rent strikes?

Answer 11

Tenants collectively refused to pay increases in rent. Bailiffs sent to collect rent met with opposition. Landlords’ houses were picketed.

Question 12

Who supported the strikes?

Answer 12

Employers in munitions factories and dockyards on the Clyde who did not want to see their production affected. Threatened sympathy strike action.

Question 13

What was the outcome of the Glasgow Rent Strike 1915?

Answer 13

Lloyd George passed the Rent Restriction Act which guaranteed rents would be fixed at pre-war levels.

Question 14

Why was the Glasgow Rent Strike significant?

Answer 14

It demonstrated the ability of the unions to pressurise the government.