History: Power and the People - Trade unions

what was the first trade union

• Grand National Consolidated Trade union (GNCTU)

• led by robert owen

• 500,000 members in the first week

• unbrella approach

was the GNCTU a success

no because it wasnt specific enough to everyones needs so it collapsed

new model unions

• for engineers

• called new model because they were skilled and could pay to ensure they got sick days/benefits

• helped gain the support of the government

• william allan

was the new model union a success

yes because it helped gain support from the government and trade unions were made legal

new unionism

• working class - gave them a voice

• matchstick girls or dockers strike

• helped organize unorganized

• led by strong radical leaders

was the new unionism a success

gave the working classes a voice

• matchstick - got better pay and conditions

• dockers - got 6 pence a day

• help support labour parties

short term significance

• increased worker solidarity

• many strikes were supressed - gov used police and military

• growth of labour movement

long term significance

• trade unions are now legal

• trade unions for each sector

• minimum wage is always increases

• trade unions are still used today

when was the general strike

1926

how long did the general strike last for

9 days

who were the main people on strike in 1926

miners - because the gov increased hours and decreased wages

what was the saying that the miners had

not a penny off the pay not an hour on the day

causes of the general strike

• many mines were closed after WW1 so workers lost their jobs

• machines were now used in the mines - people lost their jobs

• mines in germany inreased production and decreased prices - Britain counldnt compete

• drop in wages longer hours

• prices of coal fell again so gov subsidised the wages but then stopped the next year

how much were the wages cut by in the general strike

13%

how many workers went on strike

800,000

main events of the general strike

• students had to take a break from uni to work in heavy industries

• winston C tried to turn public aainst strikers

• baldwin gave speeches saying if you support strikers you support communism

when did the miners go back to work

november but only because of starvation and disillusionment

what law was passed in 1927

it was illegal to go on strikes with people from other sectors

short term significance of general strike

• failed to achieve its goals and only lasted 9 days

• newspapers spread anti-unions propaganda

• many workers werent re hired

• strengthened the government

general strike long term singificance

• caused a shift - people started focusing on political change not direct strikes

• in 1945 labour party introduced major social reforms

• influenced later disputes and resistance movements