Unionism and Co-operation Flashcards
how did industrialisation contribute to unionism and co-operation
free trade took away independence+forced collective work
no more cottage industries
what two factors increased trade unionism
more factories= increased demand for workers could see their value
gov allowed independent regulation of business
trade societies
early organisations
skilled workers want to protect their trade
had a ‘close shop practice’ (only employ members of a union)
example of a trade society
London Printers 1793
were trade societies successful
yes, were needed for their trade
what tactics did trade societies use
strike+collective bargaining
some didn’t- wanted to protect families
knobsticks
immigrants who didn’t support union action
readiness of immigrant labour- undermined cause for worker protection
what facilitated the growth of trade unions
postal+rail= communication
led to Grand National Consolidated Trade union 1834
collection of unions
National Association for The Protection of Labour
1829
only lasted 2years
showed growing determination of unionism along broader lines
how were trade unions different than trade societies
bigger+broader interests
what was the most commons trade union action
strike for increase pay
how did population growth affect the trade union movement
1750-1850 6 mill to 17 mill+
power back to employers
how did the napoleonic wars impact the growth in trade unions
econ discontent-food prices up=demand higher wages
example of a group of workers protesting due to the affects of the napoleonic wars
weavers in wigon
stop wage reduction
1799
Association of weavers 14 branches lancashire in may 1799
how do the wigan weaver protests show the extent of the economic problems after the napoleonic wars
industry with above average wages
still demanding highers
how did the emergence of the factory system affect the growth of trade unions
employer+employee bad relations, don’t feel working for a common goal
conflicting values+interests wages vs profit
when was the combination acts repealed
1825
trade unions were now legal
why did early trade unions fail
employer power
too wedded to individual trade
what did the gov see trade unions an obstacle to?
wealth
french rev increase fear of unions
how did unions react to combinations act
still grew (postal letters) largely ignored
how were gov attitudes toward trade unions influenced
circumstance
prosperity=liberal gov
MPs e.g Peel- more open minded
example to show gov still favoured employer
master and servants act 1823
what was the impact of trade unionism growth for employers and the gov
rise in militancy
1810+1818 cotton spinners strike
spread to other trades
what was the impact of trade unionism growth on the working class
Grand national 1+ mill members
document introduced
what was the ‘document’
sign to say say not+will not be in union
if did could be fired
caused collapse of grand national 1835 lots of members left
why was the grand national not successful in the long term
16K/1 MILL paid fees
1834 derby workers strike 4 months- most left union+went back to work
union couldn’t fund those on strike
Tolpuddle Martyrs
dorset
unionism in countryside
lack of employment
6 farmers protested
what was the result of the tolpuddle martyrs
1797 unlawful oath act invoked (7 yrs in prison exiled to australia)
The Almalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE)
1st sign of model unionism
12,000 members
combination of 3 smaller unions 1851
reaction to industrialisation+unskilled lab
who did ‘new model unionism’ support
skilled trade
Beatrice Webb; ‘aristocracy of labour’
how were new models funded
members taxed
didn’t rely on donations
ASE funds by 1852
£12,000 most prominent union
what did the ASE do between 1859-60 which inspired others to re-consider the traditional localised, industry specific model
supported London Builders Strike
used own resources to help others
why did new model unionism get a better social response
moderate actions conformed with victorian society
why did skilled labourers gain more leverage in 1850s
was relied upon e.g engineers to advance factory machinery
1874 trade union movement 1+ mill members
what was the government feelings toward new model unions
wanted goof relations but not give them too much power
1867 repealed worse parts of master servant act
not many people in unions could vote but could influence voters
the foundation of the trade union congress
1st universal organisation of labour
became more politicised
what was the problems with the trade unions
still not unity, new models focused on own trades
unskilled still localised
what was a trade council
grouping of local trade unions in an industry
no national voice
voice were all very autonomous
what was the foundation of the trade union congress
meeting 1868 34 delegates representing 118,000
how did the tuc become more politicised
2nd reform act 1867 send qualified men to parliament
example of a trade council
1860 london trade council
represent workers in london
what was the gov response to new model unionism
before 1850 negative
after more considerate due to strength e.g ASE
has skilled trade economy relied on
what was the molestation of workmen act 1859
more rights to peaceful protest outside workplace
only conservative reform
1867 royal commission
set up to investigate ‘sheffield’ outrages
should give unions more power?
what did the minority report conclude from the investigation of the royal commission
trade unions complete legality
created trade union act 1871
what started the growth of co-operative movements
new lanark robert owen 1779-1828
idea everyone should have a good life
what did Robert Owen stress
power of education+importance of employee welfare
did Robert Owen want to make a profit
yes
but employee experience and well being was more important
what did Owen say shaped someone’s character
their environment
wanted to build communities that look after people
how did Owen motivate people to work
punishment replace wi incentive to work silent monitor(colour block above head-quality of work)
what was the idea behind Owen’s silent monitor
appeal to workers sense of social standing
conditions at New Lanark
10=min working age
12hr=max working day
1h30=lunch
free child education
how did Owen respond to the USA cotton embargo
still paid workers even though not working
what did Owen new lanark inspire
co-operative+economical society 1821
‘the co-operator’ newsppr 1827
how many co-operative stores were there by 1832
500
co-operative stores vs communal
more co-operatives showed difficulty living in the competitive society
what did co-op stores have
good quality goods
fair prices
profits to owners/customers
what was an exchange bazar (co-operative activies)
exchange good for tokens equal value of good only lasted two years
what happened to most co-operative activies
failed= had no business sense and lacked members
did create more equalisation by 1860s
the Rochdale pioneers
1840s depressed economic climate encouraged new activities
rochal co-op shop 1844 formalised model of co-op business
did other trades like co-ops
no
how were the rochdale pioneers successful and other co-ops weren’t
set clear principles to follow
what were some of the principles of the rochdale pionners
profit/ upon amount purchased by each person
full weights and measures (attracted customers)
leaders more ‘honest’ businessmen as they elected
after reading about the rochdale pioneers how many more co-ops were set up
251
pioneers grew so much they sre up co-op wholesale society 1863
co-operative economics
profit/more people=modest improvement over larger portion of society
co-ops total owned property= £300,000 by 1870s
what was a friendly society
reaction to individualistic nature of industrialisation
men came together provide benefits for eachother e.g insurance,pensions,loans (paid into mutual fund)
why did the gov not like friendly societies
could stir up revolution
friendly societies act 1793
had to register as one
had to have a set of rules on how they govern themselves
activity reports every 3 months
what was the aim of the friendly societies act 1793
reduce numbers+more trasnparency
did the opposite
growth of friendly societies
1803=8% population members of friendly
members=skilled workers+excluded poorest (couldn’t pay fee)
later developments of friendly societies
industry areas
grew due to ban/negative image of trade unions
friendly societies act 1855
how to registers with central gov departments ‘registra of FS’
gov shhowed more interest as they grew
did gov see the benefit of friendly societies
started to, recognised welfare benefits
ratio of FS to trade unions by 1870
4:1
