Trade Unions Lesson starter 1.What are trade unions? 2.Why were they needed in Britain in the 20th century? Today we will understand trade unions

A trade union is a group of workers who join together to achieve common goals like better working conditions

Before the 1880s, only skilled workers had trade unions to look after them After the 1880s, unions became larger and included unskilled workers from places like factories Trade Unions were given rights through the influence of Labour party MPs The power they had meant that they did not always get on well with the government

The main purpose of trade unions was to improve conditions for their members Trade unions found the best way to do this was strike action Match Girls strike 1888 – improved conditions Dockers strike – better pay and job security 1926 General Strike – miners defeated by government

When countries suffered money problems (inflation), the government tries to stop pay rises Trade Unions fought this During times of unemployment, Trade Unions had less power as companies would employ strike breakers and workers were scared to lose jobs scabs Post Office Strike 2009

Can you think of any strike action in the media? SFA Football referees strikes British Airways Cabin crew Royal Mail SFA strike

Case Study: Jonathon Edwards It is Jonathon owns a factory in Glasgow which makes parts for typewriters He employs 100 staff All these staff are unskilled, meaning they do not have a trade and they can be trained to do their job Jonathon pays his staff low wages but not the lowest in the city He feels that he is doing these unskilled men a favour by giving them jobs He stays in a large home with his family and is well off He treats his staff well and gives them all a food hamper at Christmas Jonathon is worried that his workers will join a trade union. If they strike, he could lose a lot of money and not be able to deliver goods he has promised.

Case Study: Paul McShane Paul is 23 in His family came over from Ireland to find work He works in J.Edwards factory in Glasgow He is not paid well, but he has no qualifications or skills apart from his hard work He lives in a slum tenement with his wife and 5 children He can barely afford to feed his children as his wife is ill He cannot get a better job as he has no trade to offer shipbuilding yards etc He does not think his boss treats him well as he works very long hours for little pay The work he does is very difficult. Last year he lost half a finger in a machine in the factory Paul is going to join a trade union. He feels this is the only way he will be paid more and therefore have a better life If he has to strike, he will do it.

To what extent were trade unions a positive influence on Britain? You should use your own knowledge of trade unions from today’s PowerPoint You should also use our case studies to try and give both sides of the argument You should then give your own conclusion based upon your evidence