britain unionism Flashcards
(13 cards)
what did the combination acts do and did they work
1799 and 1800, they banned unions but this just created a catalyst for working class discontent and it was repealed in 1824
what were the two main things undermining strikes
irish immigrants ‘knobsticks’
population boom,grew from 6 to 17 million from 1750 to 1850
why did the grand national fail
established in 1834, 16k out of 1mill members paid the fees, they failed to support strikers due to this and it collapsed a year later, it also led to the use of ‘the document’ by employers
example of successful early union
london printers in 1793 got 540 signatures and managed to negotiate higher pay
amalgamated society of engineers success as first NMU
it had rigid administration, moderate ideas and allowed some london builders to strike 6 months till negotiation
how was the TUC formed
in 1868 with 34 delegates representing over 100k people, it was the first genuinely universal mechanism and allowed defence with one voice
what was the government response to new model unions
trade unions act of 1871 made then finally fully legal and gave security of their funds
what was new lanark
robert owens mill that had no punishment, 1.5 hr lunch break, he started a co-op shop 1800 with low fair prices
how much did co-op shops grow
there were 500 by 1832 and in 34 owen announced profits of 300k proving critics wrong
what did the rochdale pioneers do
set up one of the first co-op shops- honest and charged market price, they supported the 100s more created and provided a wholesale service
what did william king do
ran ‘the co-operator’ newspaper which only ran 2 years but had circulation of 12k and promoted ideas well
what were friendlies
groups with a mutual fund to pay out in emergencies, expanded into saving and investment fund, was exempt from the combination acts since it was regulated
why and how did the government act for friendlies
by 1815 1/3 of the population used their insurance so they updated the act in 1855 to further protect funds
