History Power and the People

What was the aim of the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union? (GNCTU)

to bring all unions under one organisation

What is a Trade Union?

an organisation of workers who come together to discuss their rights, conditions and pay

Who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs?

Six farmers who swore an illegal oath and were arrested and transported to Australia.

Who were the New Model Unions? What did they do?

an organisation of highly skilled men who could afford subscriptions for sick pay and other benefits.

They did not wanted to destroy the structure they worked in so negotiated rather than going on strike.

Why did the New Model Unions help trade unions?

The New Model Unions helped trade unions gain the support from government and by gained trade unions a legal status

Why did the New Model Unions upset the working class?

The new Model unions only benefited the skilled workers, while the unskilled workers still worked in bad conditions for little pay.

What was New Unionism?

an organisation of working class, unskilled workers

Why did the Match girls go on strike?

• they worked in dangerous conditions which left them sick from phosphorus

• they worked for very little pay

• unfair deduction and fine system

When did the match girls go on strike?

1888

What did the match girls do? and with who?

The girls went on strike with journalist Annie Besant who called for a boycott of the matches.

Why was the Match girl strike so significant?

It was the first successful strike from unskilled workers

What were the Dockers demands?

• a pay rise from 5p to 6p

• overtime pay of 8p

• secure working hours

What did the dockers do to gain support?

marched through London with rotten veg and fish to show the public what they were living off.