The Winnipeg General Strike.
The Winnipeg General Strike The province of Manitoba has endured a tumultuous history. It was born as a result of the Riel rebellion and its capital city, Winnipeg, was the sight of the only general strike in Canadian history. The Winnipeg General Strike, which took place shortly after the end of the Great War, brought, in the eyes of some, the specter of revolution to Canada. In the end, however, the strike was, from a labour standpoint, an abject failure, as virtually no long-term gains were made.1 It is difficult to comprehend how this strike, which lasted from May-June 1919 and began with between twenty-four and thirty thousand workers walking off the job (only 12,000 of whom were unionized)2, could end in failure but, when the events of the strike are examined in detail, it becomes apparent that the strike leaders themselves were, ultimately, responsible for their lack of success as they continually took steps which undermined their ability to force a resolution on their own terms. Labour unrest had been rampant in Winnipeg for many years and, although trade unions had made some modest gains, it was the employers, backed by government and the courts, who usually emerged victorious from the numerous work stoppages which took place. Employers, in fact, relied on the courts as a means of settling labour disputes to such a degree that Winnipeg became known, in colloquial
Causes of the General Strike
History- Causes of the General Strike In this essay I will discuss the reasons for the start of the general strike, the long and short term causes. In the 1920's Britain was having a hard time on the industrial front. It had begun with the miners, the coal industry wasn't fairing to well and was declining rapidly and had been since 1918. This was because during the first world war the mines were run by the government and the conditions of the mines were good but also the wages were standardised which the miners had no problems with as the were very acceptable. As soon as the war was over the mines returned back to private ownership and cuts in wages were announced immediately. The fall in mining productivity was due to lack of demand for coal abroad and mining was under no doubt that it was now highly uneconomical. Due to the rapid fall in production the mine owners announced to the workers that their wages were to be reduced. The miners consequently went on strike to try and make the mine owners change their minds. Then the miners formed a TRIPLE ALLIANCE with the railway workers and transport workers (the National Union or Railwaymen and General Workers Union). The agreement said that under the triple alliance that the Railway union and the general workers union had to go on strike with the miners as a sympathy strike. This would cause major problems for the owners
Account for the development of Trade Unions for the unskilled
Jenny Mason Account for the development of Trade Unions for the unskilled The 'new model unions' were for the skilled workers and only covered a small section of the working class which meant a great mass of unskilled and semi-skilled workers remained largely unorganised this was with exceptions of the Miners' National Union and the Agricultural Labourers' Union. During the 1880s the unskilled workers were organised into what is called 'new unionism'. These new unions' main features were that they charged minimal subscriptions and adopted a much more militant stance towards the employers; this meant that the unions were prepared to use the strike weapon to gain their objectives. The new unions also did not seek to exclude workers and they were organised across whole industries rather than just individual crafts. The new unions developed during the 1880s because there were fundamental changes taking place in society. Industrialisation had caused a huge drift between the employer and employee. The employers saw themselves as part of the 'middle class'; this made the workers more class conscious and believed they had to fight to obtain a higher standard of living. The new unions provided an outlet for this class feeling which was waiting to be tapped. The opportunity for improvement came with an improvement in overseas trade which meant there was almost full employment
'The impact of legislation introduced between 1980 and 1993 is the principal reason for the long-term decline in strike activity after 1980'. Do you agree?
'The impact of legislation introduced between 1980 and 1993 is the principal reason for the long-term decline in strike activity after 1980'. Do you agree? The UK trade union movement seemed at the height of its power in the 1970s, bringing down governments and recruiting members in their millions. However after 1979 nowhere in Western Europe saw more of a sharp decline in unionisation than the UK, where trade unions were confronted by an intense neo-liberal attack after the election of the conservative party in that same year. 'The twenty year period between 1979 and 1999 saw the longest stint of decline in union membership falling from 66% in 1979 to just 36% in 1999' (?). Existing theories of macroeconomic conditions, the changing composition of employment, and changes in labour legislation have been largely successful in explaining these trends over time. This paper argues that no one explanation of union decline is successful in establishing what caused the downward trend in strike activity; several factors played a part in this fall. The purpose of this paper is to examine some recent explanations of the decline in trade union density in Britain in the 1980s and distinguish which explanation is most prominent. The first section argues that 'one model in particular can explain over 90 per cent of the decline in trade union density' (Disney 1990). This model
'The First World War was important as a locomotive for domestic change' (Clive Emsley). How true is this of trade unions and government intervention in social welfare in Britain during the period 1914-1922?
'THE FIRST WORLD WAR WAS IMPORTANT AS A LOCOMOTIVE FOR DOMESTIC CHANGE' (CLIVE EMSLEY). HOW TRUE IS THIS OF TRADE UNIONS AND GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN SOCIAL WELFARE IN BRITAIN DURING THE PERIOD 1914-1922? The First World War introduced a lot of large welfare reform, including the war pension, but welfare reforms had started before the beginning of the First World War, and continued after it. In that sense, the First World War can be seen as a catalyst (or locomotive, if you will) for welfare reform, as it sped up the changes. Trade Unions had been active before the First World War, with the boom before the war helping trade unions to negotiate better terms and conditions, as can be seen in the Miners Strike of 1910. Trade Unions really started to get strong and militant with the formation of the Triple Alliance, when the miners, transport workers, and railway men joined together to become a hugely powerful force. Around the time when the Labour party was formed in 1906, the Liberal Democrats introduced several new welfare acts including the Children's Act and the Education Act. These acts were designed to keep the nation healthy and educated, as it was seen by both the Liberals and the Labour party that these were two major elements the youth of Britain was lacking, and it would be those people that may be relied upon later. The first state pensions were introduced in
Comparison between unitary and pluralist perspectives.
HNC IN BUSINESS PERSONNEL MODULE EMPLOYEE RELATIONS ASSIGNMENT 1 ORGANISATIONAL REVIEW Gillian Crosthwaite List of Contents . Introduction 2. Comparison between unitary and pluralist perspectives 3. The pluralist perspective with the Fire Service at the present time 4. The role and development of Trade Unions 5. Present industrial relations within the Fire Service 6. The role and contributions of the FBU 7. Conclusion Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Bibliography . Introduction This report evaluates the unitary and pluralistic employment relationship perspectives in respect of the Fire Service. An assessment of the development of trade unionism and how membership of trade unions may be increased. The nature of industrial relations in the Fire Service at the present time is detailed with issues such as the pay increase, health and safety and modernisation. There is also an investigation of the role and contribution that the Fire Brigades Union make to effective industrial relations. 2. Comparison between unitary and pluralist perspectives within the workplace There are two different approaches within an employment relationship, the unitary perspective and the pluralist perspective. The unitary perspective believes all members of the organisation should come together as one, i.e. be united. The members should all share common goals, aims and
American Labor Movement.
American Labor Movement The American Labor Movement developed as a result of the organizations that unhappy workers were establishing. These men and women were determined to receive the rights and privileges they deserved as citizens of a free country. Unions of workers pursuing a common objective, began to form demanding only ten instead of twelve hours in a work day. Workers realized the importance of economic and legal protection against the powerful employers who took advantage of them. The beginnings of the American Labor Movement started with the Industrial Revolution. Textile mills were the fist factories built in the United States. Once factory systems began to grow, a demand for workers increased. They hired large amounts of young women and children who were expected to do the same work as men for fewer wage. Child labor in the factories was not only common, but necessary for a family's income. Children as young as five or six manned machines or did jobs such as sweeping floors to earn money. It was dangerous, and they were often hurt by the large machinery. No laws prevented the factories from using these children, so they continued to do so. Technology improvements continued to reduce the demand for skilled labor. With an abundance of new immigrants willing to work, and no laws protecting a worker's rights, businesses disregarded the lives of the individuals.
Work-life balance. In this essay, I will be writing on behalf of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU). I will outline a policy that the NZCTU believes will help in this area, namely legislation making it easier for workers to achieve more flexi
One of the major issues that unions have been concerned with in recent years is work-life balance. Many workers face problems balancing their work with the other demands in their lives, such as parenting, caregiving, fulfilling responsibilities in the community, and having adequate time for leisure. In this essay, I will be writing on behalf of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU). I will outline a policy that the NZCTU believes will help in this area, namely legislation making it easier for workers to achieve more flexible hours; discuss the various methods that the NZCTU can use to ensure this policy is adopted; and finally, assess the NZCTU's chances of success, given the balance of power between trade unions and other interest groups. What is the policy? The NZCTU believes that there are a number of changes that can be made to employment legislation that would make it easier for employees to achieve greater work-life balance. One such law currently going through Parliament is Sue Kedgley's Employment Relations (Flexible Working Hours) Bill. The bill aims to implement a number of processes that workers and employers can go through while negotiating flexible working hours. Firstly, the bill gives workers a clear right to request more flexible hours. Secondly, it gives employers the right to turn down such requests, but only for certain reasons, such as an
Identify and explain the major issues relative to the unionization process and what organizations do to make it difficult to implement the process relative to unfair practices. Cite sources and examples.
Essay Question: Identify and explain the major issues relative to the unionization process and what organizations do to make it difficult to implement the process relative to unfair practices. Cite sources and examples. Introduction I intend to explain in great detail the major issues relative to the unionization process, the act, which governs, and the independent agency, which polices it. I will also show what organizations do to make it difficult to implement the process relative to unfair practices. Body The NLRA (National Labor Relations Act) was enacted by Congress in 1935. It has the power to regulate interstate commerce and to govern the employer/employee bargaining and union relationship on a national level. The Labor Management Relations (Taft-Hartley) Act in 1947 and the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure (Landrum-Griffen) Act in 1959 amended the NLRA. Most employers and employees involved in businesses that affect interstate commerce in any way are regulated by the act. The NLRA gives employees the right to determine for themselves whether they wish to be represented by a union. If the majority of the employees in an appropriate bargaining unit indicate that they support a union a certification of representative is issued. This petition, which is normally filed by a union, seeks an election to determine whether employees wish to be represented by a
How significant were trade unions in the creation and Development of the LRC by 1903?
How significant were trade unions in the creation and Development of the LRC by 1903? Over one hundred years ago, on 27th February 1900, a conference of trade unionists and socialist organizations met to establish the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), the forerunner of today's Labour Party. However in 1867, the trade union movement in Britain was limited to a mere 5% of the working class. The unions, although initially uncoordinated and unsupported by the law had, by 1903, acquired millions of members, legal protection and political representation. In order to understand the relationship between the trade union movement and the rise of the LRC it is necessary to look at the development of the unions in the context of the social, economic and political conditions in the late nineteenth century. Life at this time was pretty grim for the working class. Research by Booth and Rowntree estimated that a family of five needed a minimum of £1 a week to survive in reasonable health. He also found that 1/3 of families had less than this. Skilled workers were financially more secure, but still had no real political representation. In an attempt to improve their circumstances these skilled workers and artisans established their first trade unions in the late 1860s (these are now known as new model unions or NMUs). These were so called because they revamped previous trade union