Unionism and Cooperation Flashcards
Define trade unions
Group of workers who formed societies in the same trade or industry, to prevent themselves being exploited and demand workers rights
Define knobsticks
Derogatory term for a worker, often an immigrant who was not part of a trade union, and refused to strike. Often caused by financial reasons
What were early trade societies?
-Provided basic protection to members
-Often skilled tradesmen who wanted to protect their wages and trade from the increasing unskilled population
What were early trade societies?
-Provided basic protection to members
-Often skilled tradesmen who wanted to protect their wages and trade from the increasing unskilled population
What methods did the early trade societies practise?
‘Closed shop’ methods which meant jobs were only given to members of a union - regulated entry
When did the London Printers petition their masters? How many signatures did they get? Outcome?
1793
593 signatures
Successfully negotiated an increase in wages
3 reasons for the increase in trade societies?
- Increased industrialisation had taken away choice of working hours +conditions
-Laissez-faire allowed businessmen to exploit workers
-Collective action over smaller action
When were there major cotton strikes in Lancashire?
1810 and 1818
How long did the 1810 strike in Lancashire last?
4 months
What was the Grand National, and when was it formed?
General trade union which consolidated trade unions
1834
How many members did the Grand National have?
1 million
What was introduced by employers to work against the Grand National?
‘The Document’
Had to be signed by workers to state they were not in a trade union and could not join one
How many of the Grand National members actually paid their fees?
16 000
Example of a failed strike under support of the Grand National?
1834 1500 Derby mill workers locked out of work due to failing to leave their union. Lasted 4 months without pay but had to return due to a lack of funding and support to continue
When did the Grand National fail?
1835
When did the Grand National fail?
1835
How much lower were food prices after 1820?
1/3
How much did GNP rise by after 1820?
16.8%
How many prosecutions annually between 1857-75 due to the Master and Servant Act?
10 000
How much were average wages a week for workers?
12-15 shillings - often lower
How did the factory system cause a growth in trade unions?
Created a divide between worker and master with no mutual progress - workers felt alienated and grouped together to balance the power of masters
When was the Unlawful Oaths Act? What did it do?
1797
Gave harsher sentences to reduce the perceived radical nature of trade unions and workers discontent - mor than 3 month sentences
-Ignored after 1815 when French threat had passed
What did weavers in Wigan form and when? How far did this spread?
1799 weavers in Wigan formed and association to stop wage reduction
Spread and the association of weavers had 14 branches in Lancashire by May 1799
How did the French revolution and war lead to a growth in trade unions?
-Economic discontent and high food prices created an environment of discontent
-Showed a growing sense of mutual support between workers who were unhappy with the situation and felt they deserved greater support
How much did Britain’s population grow by between 1750-1850?
From 6 million to 17 million
How did the desire for protection of workers lead to increased trade unionism?
-Free trade meant workers had to protect their own interests
-Became difficult to strike due to population growth as workers could be easily replaced
-Needed solidarity to be more forceful and ensure success - move from localised unions to national, collectivist organisations
Why did the Tolpuddle Martyrs form a union?
Pay had decreased from 9s to 8s then to 7s a week. Wanted to improve workers pay
What punishment did the Tolpuddle Martyrs receive?
Sentenced to 7 years transportation to Australia
When did the Tolpuddle Martyrs return?
1837 after being pardoned
How many men had joined the Friendly Society of Agricultural Labourers under the Tolpuddle Martyrs?
40 men
Where was there a protest and when, in response to the punishment of the Tolpuddle Martyrs? How many attended?
Copenhagen Fields, London
21st April 1834
100 000+ attended
How large a petition was there against the punishment of the Tolpuddle Martyrs?
800 000
Who was the employer of the Tolpuddle Martyrs? Who was the employer connected to?
Employer was James Frampton
William Ponsonby (MP) was Grand Foreman and was the brother-in-law to Home Secretary Lord Melbourne (who Frampton had complained to)
Which 2 philanthropic societies failed in 1818?
Philanthropic Hercules in London
Philanthropic Society in Lancashire
Which 2 trade unions were more successful in the early period?
-John Doherty’s 1829 Grand General Union of Operative Spinners in GB and Ireland
-National Association for the Protection of Labour
How long did these 2 more successful trade unions last?
2 years
Example of a physical attack on knobsticks?
Saw Grinders’ Union in Sheffield 1866
When did New Model Unionism emerge?
1850
When were the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (ASE) established?
1851
Which 3 independent unions were merged to form the ASE?
Old Mechanics
Steam Engine Makers’ Society
General Smiths
Why did the ASE form?
Concern in the growth of unskilled workers as there were so many workers, forcing wages down - aimed to protect the skilled workforce
What have historians argued that the growth in NMUs created?
An ‘aristocracy of labour’ which encouraged resentment between workers
Who led the ASE? What system was adapted?
William Allan
Rigid administration to ensure the organisation would last - Executive council in charge, members had to pay a fee
How much did the ASE have in income due to membership fees in 1852?
£12 000 p.a.