The Development of Trade Unions

This section explores the development of the trade union movement during the 19^th century. At the start of the 19th century, industrial workers in Britain had very little power or influence over their employers. However, as the century progressed, workers began to realise that by organising collectively, they could make their voices heard. This led to the creation of organisations that advocated for workers' rights and negotiated with factory owners. These organisations became known as trade unions.

Despite facing fierce opposition from factory owners and the government, who sought to prevent workers from organising, the trade union movement gradually grew in strength. By the end of the 19th century, even the lowest-skilled workers had formed unions that were able to pressure employers into improving working conditions and wages. Over time, these unions evolved into a significant political force and ultimately helped form the Labour Party — a political party dedicated to representing the working class.

The Grand National Consolidation Trades Union (GNCTU)

Since the Middle Ages, skilled workers in Britain had been members of guilds, which set wages, fixed prices, and protected workers’ rights. However, the rise of the Industrial Revolution and the development of factories meant that factory owners began employing large numbers of unskilled workers at low wages. These employers often had complete control over their workers, and anyone who complained about their pay or working conditions was dismissed.

Towards the end of the 18th century, small groups of workers began to form combinations, or early trade unions, to negotiate collectively for better wages and conditions. However, the government, which was dominated by factory owners and the upper classes, passed the Combination Acts in 1799 and 1800, which made it illegal for workers to form these combinations. The Combination Acts were eventually repealed in 1824, and workers began to organise once more, leading to a wave of strikes as they sought better pay and conditions.

In 1833, the reformist campaigner Robert Owen set up the Grand National Consolidation Trades Union (GNCTU). This union aimed to unite various trade combinations across different industries. At its height, the GNCTU had 500,000 members, but internal disagreements between different trades led to its collapse by 1834. Nevertheless, the idea of a large, unified organisation that represented many workers had taken hold.

The Tolpuddle Martyrs

In 1834, six farm labourers from a small village in Dorset took a bold step to improve their wages. The advent of new machinery had reduced the need for manual labour, leading to a decrease in wages. The six men, who had their wages cut from 10 shillings a week to 7, decided to form a union to negotiate for better pay. However, although forming a union was not illegal, they swore a secret oath in doing so, which was deemed unlawful.

The men were arrested, found guilty of taking an illegal oath, and sentenced to seven years of transportation to Australia. This harsh punishment sparked a national outcry, with over 200,000 people marching in protest and 800,000 signing a petition demanding their release. The families of the Tolpuddle Martyrs were supported by money from other unions. After three years of campaigning, the six men were pardoned and returned to Britain as heroes. Their case became a symbol for workers' rights, and they used their newfound fame to continue campaigning for better conditions and rights for workers.

New Model Unions

By the 1850s, skilled workers began to establish New Model Unions, which offered more secure employment and benefits for their members. These unions charged a subscription fee, and in return, workers received benefits such as compensation for injuries, illness, or unemployment.

A notable example of a New Model Union was the Amalgamated Society of Engineers. This union represented skilled workers in the engineering industry and became one of the most influential unions of the time. As unions spread across towns and cities, representatives from various unions began meeting to coordinate their actions. In 1868, these representatives formed the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a national body that brought together the different trade unions and helped organise strikes and protests for workers' rights.

Matchgirls’ Strike (1888)

While New Model Unions improved the pay and conditions for skilled workers, many unskilled workers were still unrepresented and lacked protections. Towards the end of the 19th century, the growth of New Unionism saw the formation of unions for unskilled workers. One of the most notable early examples of this was the Matchgirls’ Strike of 1888.

The workers at the Bryant and May match factory in London were poorly paid and exposed to serious health problems from working with white phosphorus, a toxic substance used in match production. The situation was highlighted by journalist Annie Besant, who wrote an article describing the workers as the "white slaves of London", drawing a parallel between their suffering and the plight of enslaved Africans, who had been emancipated in 1833.

After Besant’s article, the workers formed the Matchmakers’ Union with her support. They went on strike for five weeks, demanding better pay and improved working conditions. Victory for the strikers came when their demands were met, marking the first time that unskilled workers had successfully used strike action to secure better conditions.

Dockers’ Strike (1889)

The dockers in London faced many of the same struggles as other unskilled workers. They were often hired on short-term contracts, meaning they had no job security. Every morning, around 12,000 dockers would gather at the docks in hopes of being hired to load or unload ships, but only around 5,000 would be needed, creating fierce competition for work and driving wages down. Dockers could sometimes only be employed for an hour a day, and if there were no ships to unload, they went without work.

In August 1889, the dockers went on strike, demanding 6 pence an hour and a minimum shift length of four hours. They also insisted that picketing should be allowed to prevent workers from crossing the strike line. The strike spread, with other unions staging sympathy strikes, and 130,000 workers eventually withdrew their labour. The strike was supported by a £30,000 donation from Australian trade unions, allowing it to continue even without wages. In September 1889, the dock owners gave in, and the dockers' demands were met.

Significance of New Unionism

The success of the Matchgirls’ Strike and the Dockers’ Strike demonstrated the power of militant action and showed how even the most unskilled workers could effectively use strikes to secure their demands. These victories led to a rapid increase in union membership, with over 2 million workers joining unions by 1899. Broader unions, like the Transport and General Workers Union, grew in influence and could bring together large numbers of workers across different industries.

By 1893, the influence of trade unions had led to the formation of the Labour Party, a political party that represented the interests of the working class. The Labour Party’s emergence marked the first time that working people had a political voice in Parliament, solidifying the role of trade unions as both a social and political force in British society.

The development of trade unions throughout the 19th century was a crucial part of the struggle for workers' rights in Britain. While the early years were marked by opposition and legal challenges, unions eventually gained enough power to improve working conditions for millions of workers. The success of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, the Matchgirls’ Strike, and the Dockers’ Strike paved the way for broader unionisation and led to the creation of the Labour Party, which would go on to shape the political landscape for decades to come. The history of trade unions highlights the power of collective action and the ability of workers to fight for their rights, even in the face of significant adversity.