Unionism and Co-operation Flashcards
Trade Union
Workers from them industry banding together as one force to protect their workplace rights
Trade Societies
Existed since 17th century mostly concerned with protecting skilled trades
Why did original trade societies expand to unskilled labourers
Industrialisation brought large amounts of unskilled labourers working in close environments
What were two reasons for industrialisation causing growth in trade unions
- Factory system created increased demand for workers so they felt more importance, it also brought workers into working closely together
- Laissez faire free trade ideology at the time meant government left all business practice up to the employer and didn’t enforce any regulations for workers, resulted in exploitation of workers resulting in trade unions forming
Why were trade societies small and localised
They aimed to protect the trades of skilled men from the industrial unskilled workers and machinery
Closed Shop
Practice of only employing people who were members of the trade society, to protect their own interests
What is the 1793 example of a successful trade society
London Printers who used a 539 signature petition to persuade employers to increase wages
Why could the early trade societies command significant improvements
They were skilled labourers so couldn’t be easily replaced meaning the employer had to adhere to their demands
Where did the strength of trade unions lie
In collective bargaining or threat of collective withdrawal of labour, a strike was popular and increasingly used in 18,19th century
knobstick
Someone who was socially outcast for continuing to work during a strike and undermining the movement
How did employers minimise the threat of strikes
They would draft in new immigrants due to the growing population who would be desperate to work so these people would work when strike action started
What did Britains population rise by between 1750 and 1850
6million to 17million
How did population growth weaken trade unions and eliminate effectiveness of old trade societies strike action
If workers weren’t happy with their working conditions they may just be fired and there workers found due to the huge population
Artisan
Skilled worker who uses traditional hand making techniques for production, less efficient
Why was the war with France in 1793 so fundamental to the growth of trade unions
Created large scale economic discontent as rising food prices made cost of living more expensive, bringing the issue of low wages into focus for all workers, not just skilled workers
Difference between trade societies and trade unions
Trade Unions were on a much larger scale and carried out a more formal practice for members
How did mechanisation influence early trade societies
Artisan labourers would form societies to protect they won skilled interest in the face of unskilled mechanised labour, so trade societies didn’t work in the industries interests
in 1799 who organised into an association to protect wage reductions
Weavers in Wigan
How many branches did the association of weaver grow to
14
What was the system prior to the factory system and how did it operate
Jorneyman apprentices and master system, skilled labour would need to be taught with a close personal relationship between master and journeyman
How did the switch from apprentice and master to factory system cause trade unions to grow
Direct line of communication and personality was lost between master and employee as there would be so many employees, employer had different goals to employee, so the only way employees could match employers power was by binding together.
What act made membership of a union illegal
Combinations Acts 1799 1800
What helped unions to be able to reach out and connect with eachother and grow in the face of combinations acts
Postal service and railways developments
What did unionism need to be formal and properly heard
Unions connecting with unions, general organisation for all unions