8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 1/8

Trade Unions

1895 - 1914

8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 2/8

‘New Unionism’ 

• In the 1890s a new form of Unionism tookplace.

• Membership significantly increased. Unionsbecame more inclusive, less fractured and

therefore stronger and more united.

• Unions were increasingly willing to ‘strike’ inorder to force concessions from employers.

• Unions increasingly supported socialism and

the need for a political ‘wing’ (Labour party). 

8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 3/8

Why did New Unionism emerge?

• Growth in economic conditions meant that

conditions were favourable for Union

growth, workers’ rights etc. 

• Decline in laissez-faire attitude towards

the poor, better pay = less poverty.

• Revival in socialism, particularly amongst

Unions.

8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 4/8

How successful were Unions 1890-1910?

•  A strong Union relied on full employment,

the readiness of the police to tolerate

vigorous picketing during strikes and the

absence of opposition from within the

ranks of the workers.

• Initial strike action was successful. During

the 1890s the Employers retaliated.

8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 5/8

How successful were Unions 1890-1910?

• Workers who went on strike were often

sacked and were replaced by non-Union

employees. This significantly affected

many Unions in the 1890s.

• The law was used to limit the power of

Unions further.

8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 6/8

Legal judgements• Taff Vale 1901

 – The Amalgamated Society of RailwayServants were made to pay compensation tothe Taff Vale Railway Company over the lossof revenue during a strike of its members. The

right to strike was now legally undermined.• Osborne Judgement 1909

 – Walter Osborne challenged his need to pay apolitical levy to the Labour party as part of hissubscription to the Amalgamated Society ofRailway Servants. Became law in 1909. majorproblem as MPs not paid until 1911 and soLabour MPs dependent on Union levy for

funding.

8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 7/8

Union victories• Taff Vale was overturned in 1906 by the Liberal

government in the Trade Disputes Act (draftedby the Labour party). The Act protected theUnions’ right to strike and allowed peacefulpicketing.

• Osborne Judgement overturned by the Liberals(under pressure from labour) in 1913 as part ofTrade Union Act. This allowed a political levy tobe charged as long as a secret ballot ofmembers was undertaken. Benefited the Labourparty since the majority of Unions changed fromgiving them tacit support to openly supportingthem in Parliament.

8/12/2019 Trade Unions Background

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/trade-unions-background 8/8

Unions and politics

• In 1900 a group of Unions agreed to join

the Labour Representation Committee

(LRC).

• Miners Unions joined Labour party in1909.