Early trade unions
The trade unions, who demanded higher wages and better working conditions, were significant in bringing in the reform acts such as, Factory laws and Mines Acts during the Industrial Revolution.
The early trade unions were an organisation of workers joined together to improve their wages, working conditions and working hours. During the Industrial Revolution, the workers took the advantage of the increasing unemployment and reduced the workers' wages to a bare minimum. The workers were not only underpaid but also mistreated, so a group of workers joined up together to form trade unions to improve these situations. The members of the early trade unions
usually worked in the same industry and were only for skilled artisan trades. When it was first established in the early 18th century, there were very few members who were mostly from within crafting industries. It was mainly made up of cobblers, printers and mechanics.
The employers tried to get rid of them by getting the government to declare the unions- illegal organisations under laws carrying savage penalties. They suggested that the unions would ruin the British industry and the workers would
become unemployed. The government introduced the Combination Acts in 1799 and 1800, during the Napoleonic wars, which made any sort of strike action illegal. Workmen could receive up to three months' imprisonment or two months' hard labour if these laws were broken. However, workers continued to protest for better pay and working conditions during the early 19th century. Trade unions rapidly grew in London and other areas, and in 1824 and 1825 the Combination Acts was finally repealed after the violent Luddites' protests. They were finally made legal and were accepted by the government and protected by the law. Employers could now receive higher wages and their working conditions also improved.
Even though the early trade unions were made illegal, they made it possible for workers’ wages to be increased and improved the working conditions of labourers.
Websites used for 'Early Trade Unions'
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/citizenship/struggle_democracy/trade_unionism.htm
http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/pamphlets/trade-unions
The early trade unions were an organisation of workers joined together to improve their wages, working conditions and working hours. During the Industrial Revolution, the workers took the advantage of the increasing unemployment and reduced the workers' wages to a bare minimum. The workers were not only underpaid but also mistreated, so a group of workers joined up together to form trade unions to improve these situations. The members of the early trade unions
usually worked in the same industry and were only for skilled artisan trades. When it was first established in the early 18th century, there were very few members who were mostly from within crafting industries. It was mainly made up of cobblers, printers and mechanics.
The employers tried to get rid of them by getting the government to declare the unions- illegal organisations under laws carrying savage penalties. They suggested that the unions would ruin the British industry and the workers would
become unemployed. The government introduced the Combination Acts in 1799 and 1800, during the Napoleonic wars, which made any sort of strike action illegal. Workmen could receive up to three months' imprisonment or two months' hard labour if these laws were broken. However, workers continued to protest for better pay and working conditions during the early 19th century. Trade unions rapidly grew in London and other areas, and in 1824 and 1825 the Combination Acts was finally repealed after the violent Luddites' protests. They were finally made legal and were accepted by the government and protected by the law. Employers could now receive higher wages and their working conditions also improved.
Even though the early trade unions were made illegal, they made it possible for workers’ wages to be increased and improved the working conditions of labourers.
Websites used for 'Early Trade Unions'
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/citizenship/struggle_democracy/trade_unionism.htm
http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/pamphlets/trade-unions