Trade unions

Trade Unions

When was there a revival of trade unionism

1850s

Which sort of people made up model/craft unions

Skilled workers who saw themselves as the elite of the working classes and wanted to improve conditions through self educarion and self help

What was their subscription rate like

Relatively high to underline superiority over unskilled workers

Why did they win respect from liberals

Used peaceful bargaining rather than strikes and so it was them that benefited from the 1867 extension of the franchise

Why did craft unions support the liberal party

Their funds couldn't be protected by law so members thought supporting them would strengthen their legal position

When and where was the first trades union congress

Manchester 1868, to bring pressure for govt to give unions legal recognition

What trade union legislation did Gladstone pass in 1871

-1871 trade union act, established legal right of unions to hold property and funds which were protected by law, also had right to strike

-criminal law amendment act, made any form of picketing illegal so unions were legalised but almost any action they took to achieve their aims was illegal

What is picketing?

Strikers persuading non striking workers to join

How did the trade union act impact Gladstone

Some said it was his most serious misjudgment and cost him working class support in the 1874 election. Skilled artisans who ensured govt success in 1868 were left disappointed. Conservatives won in 1874

When was the conspiracy and protection of property act and what did it do

1875, it replaced the 1871 criminal law amendment act. Position of trade unions was improved and they couldn't be prosecuted for collectively doing something that would be legal if done by one person. It legalised peaceful picketing and gave them the right to strike