Unionism and Cooperation, 1785-1870 Flashcards
What is an example of an early trade society and what did they do
The London Printers
Petitioned their masters for an increase in wages due to a high cost of living in 1793.
Gained 539 signatures, and were successful
What were two major strikes very early in the 19th century
Lancashire cotton spinners in 1810 and again in 1818
Aims were not achieved in either
What was the large trade union formed in 1834
The Grand National Consolidated Trades Union, with over 1 million members
How did employers prevent unionism
Using ‘the document’, which had workers contractually agree not to be members of a union and could not join one
How many members of the Grand National actually paid their fees?
16,000
When did the Grand National collapse
1835
When did the Grand National fail to support its members
In 1834, 1500 mill workers in Derby were locked out of their place of work for failing to leave their union
Despite lasting 4 months without pay, these men eventually returned because they couldn’t survive and weren’t supported enough by the Grand National
What did the Combination Act ban
The actual membership or joining of a trade union that could negotiate for higher wages or lower hours was banned
Punishment was hard labour for any amount of time not exceeding 2 months
Friendly Societies, being regulated, were exempt from this
When was the Master and Servant Act passed and what did it do
1823
Made the breaking of a contract an offence punishable by imprisonment, strikes included
Between 1857-1875, 10,000 prosecutions in England and Wales
What was a knobstick
Also known as a ‘scab’, an Irish worker who replaced strikers
Who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs
6 men who, in 1834, swore an oath to try and improve their wages.
Their employer, Frampton, lowered their wages to 6 shillings per week and had them tried and ‘transported’ (off to Australia, bozo)
What was the reaction to the Martyr’s being transported
100,000 protestors turned up at Copenhagen fields, with 200,000 signatures seeking a pardon
Lord John Russell noticed, and began a process of democratisation in local government
What was the first New Model Union
The Amalgamated Society of Engineers, 1851
12,000 members, and a fee of £1/year for membership
Branches from Lancashire to Scotland
Which union represented miners from 1858
National Miners Association, working for legislation to improve safety in the pits
Helped to achieve the Mines Regulation Act 1860
Which union almost successfully agitated for a change in the Master and Servant Law
Glasgow Carpenters Union
What was the outcome of the Sheffield meeting for unions
Saw the formation of the United Kingdom Alliance of Organised Trades, formed in 1866, but this collapsed in 1868
What were the Trade Councils in the TUC
Smaller groups which represented local interests in the TUC
Offered a broader forum for union activity but were still held back by their individuality
What was the New Model Union set up in 1860
Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners
How much did the Amalgamated Society of Engineers pay to builder to support their strike in London
3 donations of £1000
When was the first meeting of the TUC and how many attended
1868, with 34 delegates
What did the Molestation of Workmen Act of 1859 do
Gave rights to workers who picketed peacefully during strikes, conceding some rights but retaining the power of the government to imprison or act forcefully where necessary
When were unions made entirely legal
Trades Union Act, 1871
Which Trades Council was the most influential
The London Trades Council, with members like Robert Applegarth, leader of the Amalgamated Carpenters, and William Allen of the Amalgamated Engineers
When was Robert Owen actually in control of New Lanark’s operation
1799 to 1828
The mill itself continued functioning until 1968
How did New Lanark incentivise workers
A coloured block above their workstation which appealed to the workers sense of social standing
What were work days like in New Lanark
From 1800, working day was 12 hours, with 3/2 hour break for meals
No children under 10 could work
How successful was New Lanark
Future Tsar of Russia, Grand Duke Nicholas, visited in 1816
In 1834, Owen boasted he was able to maintain annual profits of £300,000
What did William King do for co-operatives
Published a newspaper entitled ‘The Co-operator’ from 1827 to 1829
Despite the 2 year lifespan, it had a wide readership
How many co-operatives were there by 1832
500
When did the 28 Rochdale Pioneers set up their first store
1844
What problems did the first Co-Operative congress of 1831 try to alleviate
- Unemployment
- High food prices and wage cuts
- Inequality in suffrage; workers had no voice
- Industrial and political action unsuccessful
Who joined Friendly Societies initially, and what did they become
From the 17th century, working men (usually artisans and skilled workers) organised themselves into groups and paid into a mutual fund to support members who needed it at a later date
Expanded into a saving scheme and investment fund after 1817
Where did friendly societies meet
ale houses and local inns
What are some of the Friendly Societies which existed in the 19th century
The Royal Foresters, The Order of Buffaloes, the Hearts of Oak, and the Rechabites
What did the government think of Friendly Societies in 1789
Exhibited the same radicalism as that in France
What did the Friendly Societies Act of 1793 do
- Friendly Societies had to register with a local Justice of the Peace (JP)
- could not challenge the interests of the government
This act was updated to protect funds further in the Friendly Societies Act of 1855
How much did Friendly Societies grow by
Due to legal recognition and protection of their funds due to the 1793 act, by 1803 around 8% of the population were members of a Friendly
By 1815, they provided insurance for 1/3 of the population
What was the United Society, and what did it do
An association of numerous Friendly Societies which provided bread and meals for members who travelled around the country
How many were in Friendly Societies compared to Trade Unions by 1870
Membership in Friendlies outnumbered that of Unions by 4 to 1
