Trade Unionism in England

 

Trade Unionism in England

Trade unionism in England was the natural outcome of industrialism in that country. Before Industrial Revolution, workers had little chance to meet to discuss their problems. But after Industrial Revolution, many factories were established in Industrial town. It gave them opportunities to meet and to talk about their grievances. Trade unionism is defined as, association of workers formed with the purpose of improving the conditions under which work is carried on.

In the eighteenth century there were many secret trade unions in England. The ruling classes looked upon them with suspicion and disfavor. In 1799 and 1800 Combination Laws were passed by which trade unions were made illegal. Francis Place, a master-tailor took efforts for the welfare of the workers. As a result, in 1824, the House of Commons appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Joseph Hume. It supported the working class.

In the next few years, small local trade unions were combined. Thus the Grand Union of the United Kingdom and the National Association for the Protection of Labour came into existence. In 1834, the Grand Union of the United Kingdom was formed with around one million members. It was popular in the beginning, as years went by, it failed. A revival took place in 1843. In 1851 a number of unions in the engineering industry united to form the Amalgamated Society of engineers. The Trade Union Act was passed in the year 1871. According to the act, the unions were compelled to render to the union exact accounts of all the money received by them.

During the sixties and seventies trade unionism was popular only among the skilled workers. A match workers’ strike was organized by Annie Besant in 1888 to get concessions from their employers. In 1889, the union of gas workers was formed and a substantial reduction in their hours of work followed. The first railway was formed in 1871. In 1911 a strike occurred and it was called off only when a promise was that a Royal Commission would be constituted to consider the grievances of the men. The Act of 1921 made it obligatory that the railway service should be represented by the railway trade unions.

Even white-collared employees such as medical men, traders, lawyers, journalists, bank clerks and actors have their respective unions to fight for their rights and privileges. It must be stated that the Trade Union movement has done much to improve the lot in life of the workers. It is now necessary to see that Trade Union movement does not become harmful.