The Role of Trade Unions in The Role of Trade Unions in Changes in Employment Changes in Employment and Working conditions and Working conditions

Trade Unions – Reasons for Trade Unions – Reasons for increase 1888-1918increase 1888-1918• Success of TUs encouraged increase in Success of TUs encouraged increase in

membershipmembership• Semi and unskilled workers joined in Semi and unskilled workers joined in

large numberslarge numbers• High employment figures meant more High employment figures meant more

members between these yearsmembers between these years• Preparation for WW1 meant rise in Preparation for WW1 meant rise in

production therefore , rise in production therefore , rise in membershipmembership

• During WW1 women in industry During WW1 women in industry boosted membershipboosted membership

The Growth of Trade Unions The Growth of Trade Unions before the 1880s before the 1880s

• Main function of Trade Unions was to Main function of Trade Unions was to improve hours of work, pay and improve hours of work, pay and safety.safety.

• Unions were small, local and Unions were small, local and ineffective.ineffective.

The Growth of Trade The Growth of Trade Unions 1880s – 1918Unions 1880s – 1918• Trade Unions contributed to the formation Trade Unions contributed to the formation

of the Labour Party in the 1890’s.of the Labour Party in the 1890’s.• The party represented the interests of The party represented the interests of

working class peopleworking class people• British trade union membership increased British trade union membership increased

from 750,000 in 1888 to 2 million in 1900 from 750,000 in 1888 to 2 million in 1900 and over 4 million by 1914.and over 4 million by 1914.

• During WW1, union membership doubled, During WW1, union membership doubled, women becoming more actively involved.women becoming more actively involved.

Industrial Unrest Industrial Unrest 1880s – 19181880s – 1918• More unskilled workers were encouraged More unskilled workers were encouraged

to join unions.to join unions.• Many strikes between 1900 – 1914. Less Many strikes between 1900 – 1914. Less

successful when unemployment was successful when unemployment was high, employers not willing to negotiate high, employers not willing to negotiate

• WW1 meant end of many strikes except WW1 meant end of many strikes except on “Red Clyde side”, in 1919 40,000 on “Red Clyde side”, in 1919 40,000 workers in Clydebank took part in workers in Clydebank took part in general strike.general strike.

The 1920s and 1930s The 1920s and 1930s

• Unemployment soared during economic Unemployment soared during economic depression.depression.

• Trade Union membership fell from 8 Trade Union membership fell from 8 million in 1920 to 4 million in 1933.million in 1920 to 4 million in 1933.

• In the late 1930s trade unions began to In the late 1930s trade unions began to grow again as the country prepared for grow again as the country prepared for war.war.

• Unions were formed in new and growing Unions were formed in new and growing unions.unions.

Trade Unions in WW2 Trade Unions in WW2

• Cooperated with the government Cooperated with the government during WW2.during WW2.

• Union membership increased during Union membership increased during the war, unions gained improvements the war, unions gained improvements in working conditions in war work.in working conditions in war work.

• Working people expected further Working people expected further improvements in working conditions improvements in working conditions in post-war Britain.in post-war Britain.

Trade Unions 1945 – Trade Unions 1945 – 1980s1980s

Year Year Trade Union Trade Union Membership Membership

19481948 9.5 million 9.5 million

19781978 12 million 12 million

19881988 8 million8 million

• After WW2 Britain faced major competition After WW2 Britain faced major competition from abroad. Unions opposed any reduction from abroad. Unions opposed any reduction in the number of workers.in the number of workers.

• Unions gained improvements in pay and Unions gained improvements in pay and conditions through negotiations in the 1950s conditions through negotiations in the 1950s and confrontations in the 1960s and 1970s.and confrontations in the 1960s and 1970s.

• Trade Union membership fell at times of high Trade Union membership fell at times of high unemployment. Workers became unwilling to unemployment. Workers became unwilling to take strike action in case they lost their jobs.take strike action in case they lost their jobs.