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
What was the first effort at creating a union of unions
1818 Philanthropic Society in Lancashire
What happened to the Philanthropic Society
Difficult to unite all trades as they all had different interests, then fell apart after leaders were arrested
When were the combinations acts repealed
1824
When were the new combination acts passed
1825
What did John Doherty do in 1829
Created the Grand general union of the operative spinners of GB and Ireland, these weren’t successful but showed growing determination of a broader trade union organisation
Who started 1818 strikes
Cotton Spinners of Lancashire
What else happened in the 1818 strikes
Supported by weavers, colliers, machine makers, showing a broader nationwide strike action
How did the government end the 1818 strike
Arrested five leading members
Why was the 1818 strike significant
They may not have achieved immediate aims, played a part in the long term of increasing pressure on the government to repeal the combination acts
What was the most successful networked union and when
1834 Grand National consolidated trades union
What was the grand nationals membership
1 million
What were the two impacts of the grand national, and were these positive
- United organisation for the interests of working class solidarity
- Generated widespread use of the document
These were mostly negative
What was the document
A paper that employees would have to sign denouncing any commitment to a trade union
Why did the grand national have divided interests
Made up of members of so many different trades that it had so many different interests
Where did one of the main failures of the grand national lie
The strike action was ineffective as they lacked the funds to pay workers when they were out on strike
How many of the 1 million members payed the subscription fee
16,000
What event showed the lack of funds for the grand national
1834 1,500 mill workers in derby were locked out of their place of work for joining their union, but due to lack of pay from the union they eventually all went back to work within 4 months
How was the document so effective
Essentially forced workers to abandon unions if they wanted any employment, employment under bad conditions was better than the meagre funds provided by grand national for striking
When and how did the grand national collapse
1835 due to the financial burden of supporting strikers with little to no funds
Why were governments opposed to trade unions
They were firmly laissez fair free trade so believed any regulation impacted profits and trade unions would impact profits and employers interests
How did war with France cause government opposition to trade unions to intensify
Trade unions were seen as political attacks on British elite at a time when the elite was very afraid of revolution
Why were 1797 unlawful oaths acts preferred to the combinations acts
These carried a harsher sentence for those in trade unions
Why were the combinations acts passed and then repealed in 1824
They were passed in reaction to the ruling classes perceived dangers in the war with France so after 1815 when war had subsided they fell out of favour and were repealed
What did the repeal of the combinations act show
A more sympathetic government attitude to trade unions to try better allow them to express concerns, still against strike action
Why did the government attitude to trade unions lighten in 1824
Times of peace and economic prosperity
Why was the 1825combination of workmen act passed
Handloom weavers in stockport
Master and servant act when and what
1823 made breaking of a contract punishable by imprisonment, strikers could be punished under this act.
What did the master and servant act show
Government may have more sympathetic attitude to employees and trade unions in 1820s but still acted vastly in employers favour as they favoured profit and economic progress
How many people were prosecuted under the master and servant act a year between 1857 and 1875
10,000
What was the cause of the tolpuddle martyrs
The government were scared of the growing discontent and strike action shown by the swing riots in the agruclutrual industry, caused by mechanisation and low wages
What and when was the tolpuddle martyrs
1834 government sentenced 6 men to transportation under unlawful oaths acts for forming their own trade union for higher farm wages in Dorset, was done to make an example out of trade unions even though they were legal to limit their power
ASE when and what
1851 the amalgamated society of engineers was set up by binding together three smaller unions to protect interests of skilled labourers in the face of industrialisation
New model unionism
development of larger unions of skilled workers who used more conservative viable methods like negotiation instead of militant strikes
Who was general secretary of ASE
William Allan
Aristocracy of labour
The idea that critiqued high skilled elitist workers who were already better paid, like engineers, miners, shipbuilders, cotton spinners. Excluded other working class
What was the ASE administrative system
Elected executive council was In charge with a paid general secretary managing the day to day.
How could ASE generate more funds to pay for strike action
£12,000 in 1852 due to the better financial positions of its membership and better organisational structure, membership tax rather than traditional voluntary donations
What was the most influential ASE action and when
1859 provided £1000 to London Builders strike fund allowing them to successfully reduce their working day
How did ASE actions in the London builders set an example
They showed direct help to working class interests by a trade union causing other traditional unions to reconsider their methods to model off the ASE and stop localised unions
What union was created in 1860 modelled of the ASE
Amalgamated Society of carpenters and joiners
What methods did William Allan prefer
Rational negotiation with employers appearing respectable and strength in large numbers / over using strike action
What circumstances in the latter half of the 19th century greatly helped ASE
- Increasing industrialisation growing in technical industries required skilled labourers so ASE membership had economic leverage
- Peaceful negotiations were a very popular method in victorian society
- Found favour with the general public by ensuring stability in industry, favour with the public meant they gained favour in parliament due to the change in voting system
Why did ASE model not work for some other unions
Unskilled labour unions didn’t have the same negotiation leverage that the skilled labour unions had so they still had to rely on more militant means to achieve demands.
What was the number of members of trade unions by 1874
1 million
Weaknesses of traditional unions
- lack of funds
- Small and localised
- Unskilled labourers so had no negotiating leverage
What two men initially drove the idea for a new united trade union in the 1860s
George Potter
William Dronfield
What was George Potters motivation
Wanted localised and national unions to work together for workers rights
What was William Dronfields motivation
Paper he gave to a middle class society defending trade unions was rejected he realised more needed to be done for working class rights
London Trades Council when and what
1860 represented working people of London and started the movement of multiple other trade councils being established in major industrial cities
What did the trades councils promote
Broader forum for union activity whilst retaining regional individuality which held back the truly national cause
What did George Potter try to do
Introduce a labour parliament that would meet annually but was rejected by London trade council leadership as they felt it would undermine their control over trade union activities
Trade council
Group of smaller localised unions with their own interests usually more traditional that came together to form a council, council usually ran by more conservative new model unionists
What happened to George potters idea despite its rejection by London trades council in 1866
Meeting in Sheffield was organised attended by 138 delegates of unions with intentions to arrange an annual conference
What did the Sheffield meeting in 1866 produce
United Kingdom alliance of organised trades, promised to bind unions in mutual support
Who arranged the Sheffield meeting in 1866
William Dronfield
When and why did United Kingdom alliance of organised trades collapse
1867 due to problems with finance and involvement in the Sheffield outrages in the year prior
Sheffield outrages 1866
Series of violent actions taken by saw grinders union to secure better working conditions, murder of employers and several explosions
Who was prompted by William Dronfields efforts
Samuel Nicholson, president of Manchester trades council
What did Samuel Nicholson do
Arranged a general trades congress to discuss union issues in 1868 which was attended by 34 delegates, regard as the foundation of the TUC
What was the main reason for the improved relations between skilled and unskilled labour unions at the TUC in 1868
A growing need to protect union funds with guarantees of union status, Amalgamated unions with large funds sought national general body to protect funds
What event caused unions to need to seek better safeguarding measures for their funds
Hornby vs Close case in 1867 which didn’t make it illegal for trade union funds to be stolen by treasurers after issue with Bradford boilermakers, deemed trade unions unlawful organisations
Why did the 1825 combinations act do
criminal sanctions for picketing and pressuring workers not to work
What were trade unions before 1871
Quasi-Legal
Why was the TUC so significant
Established a genuinely national organisation of trade unions to protect British labour, put working class interests into British politics
How did the TUC change and become more influential
Increased its political influence
What two events made the TUC more political
- Supported Labour Representation League which would help put working class representatives in parliament
- Creation of an elected working mans party with two liberal candidates
Reasons why the government favoured NMU
- Respectable conservative approach
- Skilled trades interests had to be considered by government because of their economic value for manufacturing techonologies needed to carry on growth
- Government was becoming increasingly more answerable to public opinion
Molestation of workmen act when and what
1859 allowed more rights to picketers to show some reform but maintained definition of rights to courts as to maintain control over unions power
Why did the government respect the London trades council
They had the power to mobilise thousands of people at the general election and influence voters so had to be considered by parliament, 1867 extended the vote to skilled working men so government had to be more considerate to unions
What did the 1867 royal commission investigate
Whether the legal status of trade unions should be improved as there was more sympathies to trade unions following NMU
Majority report of the royal commission 1867
Degree of legalisation with some restriction, separation of strike funds from general funds, veto of certain union rules
Minority report of the royal commission 1867
Full legalisation with no limitations and full security of funds
Which report did the new liberal government favour
The minority report
trade union act when and what
1871, result of the minority report gave unions full legalisation with right to strike and full legal protection of funds
Mutualism
Well being is dependent upon people offering mutual support rather than competing with each other
Who created New Lanark and who
Robert Owen in 1799
What was Robert Owens belief about employment
He believed in not only profit but good welfare and experience of workers, he wanted people to improve themselves as he believed this would benefit everyone.
What was Owens principle
Character was created by environment so to promote better human beings they would need a good environment
How did Owen enact his principle
At new lanark he promoted a co-operative approach to working environments and communities rather than a comabtitive one
What was Owen silent monitor system incentive system
A wooden block of different colours would be hung above everyones workplace with different colours representing c=varying amounts of good behaviour and good work, appealing to peoples sense of social standing to want to behave well and work hard.
What did Robert Owen strongly oppose
Punishment
What measures were introduced at new lanark
- maximum 12 hour working day
- only age 10+ children allowed to work
- free education for children
- Meal breaks
- Low cost shop
- Furlough schemes in cotton embargo
What profit did Owen claim new lanark made
300,000
What did Henry Hetherington form in 1821
Co-operative and economical society
Who published the co-operator newspaper which spread the ideas of co-opretive movement and when
Physician William King in 1827
What formed in the spirit of Owens co-opertive communalism
Co-operative stores that shared profit with customers
How many Co-operative stores by 1832
500
What did Co-operative stores aim to do
Provide affordable prices whilst maintaining quality
Labour Exchange Bazaars
People could exchange goods they created for credit notes on how many hours it took to make then use these notes to buy other goods
Why did Labour Exchange Bazaars fail
Accumulated a mass of unwanted goods
When was a labour exchange bazaar created in London
1832
Why were early co-operative enterprises important
They provided means for working people to improve their own condition paving the way for greater social equality
Who formalised the co-operative shop activities in 1844
Rochdale Pioneers
What was holding back expansion of co-operative shops
opposition from traditional profit driven shops, they were charged excessive rents and many wholesale suppliers refused to work with them
What were some of the Rochdale Principles
- Only best quality
- Women can be members
- Profits divided on amount of purchases by each member
- some profits directed to education
- full measurements of goods always given
What did the Rochdale Principles reflect
Progressive approach that attempted to better experiences for working men and women. But different to others they were professional so ensured a stable long term business plan
How was the rochdale pioneers democratic approach significant
Enforced all members being equal which enhanced their reputation as honest businessmen who showed a different style of commerce
Why was the rochdale pioneers decision to refuse use of credit significant
This is what had caused collapse of many prior co-operative shops as they extended courtesy to customers when they financially couldn’t
Basis explanation of a co-operative shop
People pooled their resources together to buy goods at wholesale prices, then be sold to customers at market prices with profits going back into the shop
What emphasis improved the long term picture of the Rochdale Pioneers
Profits would be divided up based on how much one spent in the shop, encouraging people to spend more in the shop and increasing membership
by 1863 how many co-operative shops were created on the rochdale model
251
What was set up by the pioneers in 1863 that reached to international influence
Co-operative Wholesale Society
Co-operative economics
Social equality would be increased as business profits are split between multiple people rather than one owner
What helped co-operative economics to flourish in the victorian ideas
Self help ideas were very popular
What property had the pioneers amassed by the 1860s
£300,000 worth
What co-operative movement existed in the 1600s
Workers would band together to provide social and financial support to one another when need arose, normally after a death family would be supported
When did friendly societies grow
in the 1660s when government reduced employee protection
Friendly Society
Organisation that aimed to provide assistance and benefits for each others, insurance, saving schemes, pensions
What was one of the earliest 19th century friendly societies
Royal Foresters in Yorkshire
What benefit did the distinct identities of societies bring in the Industrial Revolution
Sense of individuality and social importance at a time when it was being vastly reduced for the working class
Why was the government opposed to growing friendly societies in the late 18th century
They associated them with French radicalism and groups of working class forming against the higher class
Friendly societies act
1793 made it so they had to register with their local JP, had to log their actions and their rules
What was the intention of the friendly societies act
These groups would become more transparent so the government could monitor any radical tendencies and they hoped the act would reduce membership
What was the unintended effect of the friendly societies act
Legal recognition of friendly societies gave them protection of their funds and first time workers could form legal organisations to provide mutual benefits, so membership grew rapidly
What percentage of the population was in a friendly society by 1803
8%
Who did friendly societies exclude
- Poorest people as their was a subscription fee
- Those in unstable industry like agriculture
- Anyone who fell behind with fees was expelled immediately
Where did friendly societies enjoy greatest presence
Areas with intense industrial development
What was the main draw of friendly societies in industrial Britain
financial gains and stability offered through membership
United Society
Showed the social benefit of joining a society as was an association of societies in that area that promised bed and food to any member
Why did friendly societies grow after 1799
They were a means of practicing trade union objectives whilst unions were illegal, society funds could be pooled for strike action
What change was made to friendly societies in 1846
Registration was now done centrally so government could oversee friendly societies better due to the large scale support they had membership over 1 million
What gave friendly societies a more honest reputation
Legalisation of trade unions in 1824
Second friendly societies act when and what
1855 protection of funds and growing government support for their activities reflecting victorian self help ethos
What was the ratio of friendly societies to trade unions by 1870
4:1
Why were friendly societies less targeted by the government comapred to trade unions
They posed less of a threat to the economic functioning of industrialisation as the government feared the effects strike action had on the countries profitability
What was the basic premise behind friendly societies
Mutual support and co-operative movement within its membership that would better peoples financial and social welfare
