Trade Unions Flashcards by Martha Papaleontiou

3 reasons why the general strike failed?

-Media
-TU organisation
-Gov strength

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

When was the general strike?

1926

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which paper induced fear surrounding the general strike? How?

The British Gazette; propagated revolutionary threat of the strike.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which paper uplifted governments ability in dealing with the general strike? How?

The British Gazette; described proficiency with which gov dealt with the ‘revolutionary’ threat

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Which news channel supported government during the general strike? How?

The BBC; refused to publish anything that could be damaging to government; dependent on gov for its licensing and income.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What tone did the BBC take in describing the general strike?

Conciliatory tone; broadcasted a speech from Archbishop of Canterbury calling for an end to the strikes.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What did most news describing the strikes avoid?

Evoking sympathy for the strikers.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What limited the ability of the TUs to release propaganda during the general strike?

Gov curtailed production of the TUC’s newspaper- the British Worker.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How much did the TUC have to limit its newspaper by during the general strike?

From 8 to 4 pages.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How did the media impact public support for the general strike?

Middle Class turned away from the strike due to government propaganda.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What fears contributed to a lack of support for the general strike?

Fears of communism; communist party backed the strikes creating fears around the TUC.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Who endorsed the TUC’s general strike?

Large donation from Russian Communist Party.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How many people attended the general strike?

1.5-1.75 million on top of the one million miners.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What industries showed support for the general strike?

Transport, power stations, printing, iron and steel.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Evidence of belated organisation during the general strike?

TUC made no arrangements for industrial action until late on.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How do local councils respond to the TUC during the general strike?

Well- Bradford council of action sent out nearly 10,000 workers to strike.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What remained open during the general strike? What does this suggest?

Power stations in London; bad organisation.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What did some workers continue to do during the general strikes?

Keep working; known as ‘blacklegs’

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What suggests that government were well prepared for the general strike?

Emergency Powers Act 1920
Anti-strike legislation- strike committee of 1919.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What did the Act limited the impact of striking workers?

Strike Committee 1919 created ‘reserves’ to fill in jobs of striking workers; meant some industries were able to continue running, limiting impact.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

When was the Glasgow Rent Strike?

1915

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Who led protests during the Glasgow Rent Strike?

Mainly women- such as Mary Barbour

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

How many strikers took part in the Glasgow Rent Strike?

25,000

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Why did the Glasgow Rent Strike pose an issue for government?

Loss of vital workers in munition factories.

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What was the result of the Glasgow Rent Strike?

Lloyd George's Rent Restriction Act; guaranteed pre-war rent levels.

When was the 40 hour strike?

1919

How many stopped working during the 40 hour strike?

70,000

How many gathered to hear government's response to the 40 hour strike?

60,000

What did government use to manage the 40 hour strike?

Violence; deployed 6 tanks and many troops to control fighting.

What was the short term vs long term consequences of the 40 hour strike?

Event failed, but unions eventually achieved a 47h working week.

How were TUs able to gain political influence?

Closely linked to labour; good relations with Shinwell and Maxton.

How much did trade union support increase by?

4.1 million in 1913 to 8 million in 1919.

Which three industries made up the triple alliance?

MFGB (miners), NUR (railways), NTWF (transport).

Which two figures were key in coordinating trade unions?

Bevin and Thomson

Which area had particularly high levels of TU militancy?

Clydeside- known as 'Red Clydeside'.

What helped increase TU funding?

AEU: 1s a week from wealthier members.

Which law demonstrates government taking a significant role in industrial disputes?

Munitions of War Act 1915; gave gov more power over industrial agreements.

Which agreement limited work?

Dilution Agreement 1915; employed unskilled and semi-skilled workers to skilled jobs while skilled workers fought. Led to unemployment upon return.

Evidence of TU success by 1917?

1917: gov granted a 12.5% bonus to particular workers, but strike action forced it to extend the wartime bonus to all workers

Who worked with Lloyd George in government?

James Thomas.

How many women were used in dilution?

14,000 in Clyde; caused strikes in 1917.

What did government have to do during WW1? How did this benefit workers?

Nationalise much industry- like railways and coal mines. Brought unions in direct contact with government- removing business owners and allowing direct negotiations.

Who was elected as MPs in 1922?

Militant leaders of rent strike 1919.

Evidence of Glasgow Rent Strike showing cooperation?

Glasgow Women's Housing Association, Clyde Workers' Committee and Independent Labour Party worked together.

Evidence of the weakness of the Triple Alliance?

James Thomas called for strike action 1919 over gov refusal to promise no reduction of railway wages; not supported by miners/transport workers; miners had already achieved a 20% wage rise and hours cut from 8 to 7.

Evidence of post-war worse conditions for miners? Strike consequences?

Pay had reduced by 30% 1921 and strike not supported by NUR or NWTF; miners forced back to work due to hunger. "BLACK FRIDAY"

What did the Emergency Powers Act allow government to do?

Announce a state of emergency and allow quick passing of emergency legislation.

What did labour do which government saw as a revolutionary threat?

Formed a Council of Action to prevent gov support for Poland; prepared to hold strikes to hinder production; but support waned from 1921.

What problems faced the government after WW1?

Failure to recapture trade markets; uncompetitive industry. Post war economic slump; business owners lost money.

How did organisation improve after Black Friday?

Bevin replaced old, loose alliance with a centralised structure and in 1921 a new TUC council was formed.

What did TUC membership fall by after the general strike?

From 5.5 million 1925 to 3.75 million 1930

What limit on striking was introduced after the General Strike?

The Trade Dispute Acts 1927; general strikes illegal.

What was the Sankey Converntion?

Commission appointed by government to investigate mining industry; Recommended nationalisation and improved conditions.

How did government respond to the Sankey Commission?

Rejected nationalisation, but did some reorganisation.

When was the sankey covention?

1919

What caused the 1926 general strike?

-Coal conflict 1925 and breakdown of industrial relations -Threat of cuts to miners' wages

How much of a subsidy did government provide for miners' wages?

£23 million for 9 months.

3 reasons why the general strike happened?

1) Coal miners' union 2) Gov actions 3) Changing economic conditions.

How much of the workforce did miners make up?

10%

Miners' resentment pre-WW1?

Threatened strikes over employment of miners not in unions while unionised miners were tunnelling in WW1

What did miners' wages fall by after WW1?

30% 1921

How did Lloyd George betray the miners?

Privatised industry after WW1

How did Black Friday lead to more resentment?

Gov gave a 6 month wage increase but this merely postponed the dispute.

How did Churchill's return to the Gold Standard impact miners?

Wages fell by 10% 1925

What did coal mine owners do in 1925 to increase resentment?

Tried to reduce wages by 13% and replace 7h working day with an 8h working day; led to strikes and gov 9 month subsidy

When was the Samuel Convention? Why did it cause resentment?

1925; temporary 13% wage reduction, end gov subsidy.

When was the return to the gold standard? What economic challenges did it bring?

1925 inflation and unemployment rise to 1 million. Wages reduced Strong £ caused a huge fall in exports

When did gov strength increase?

During the 9 months in which they were providing subsidies; crucial time to organise militancy

What was the OMS? What did it do?

Organisation for the maintenance of supplies- recruited m/c and u/c to keep services running in the event of a strike. Perhaps OMS posters triggered TUs into action?

What 1925 bill cut workers' wages? How much?

Nations Wage Bill- business leaders cut £12 million

What was the value of the pound after the return to the gold standard?

£4.86

What demand fell after the war?

Demand for coal and English goods in general

Trade Unions Flashcards

(72 cards)