Abstract
The essay begins by providing an introduction to the concept of early Nineteenth Century general unionism, followed by the position of the Derby Lock-out and the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union (GNCTU) of 1834 within it. The central concept of "Trades" as opposed to "Trade" union is defined.
Early trade union organisation as well as attempts at general union prior to the GNCTU are then discussed. An overview of the formation of the Consolidated is given, followed by arguments in favour of the union’s novelty compared to previous attempts. This is all set within the framework of the periods social and political conditions and argues that the Trades Union was the expression of frustrated working class aspirations. Robert Owen’s influence is then briefly analysed, and it is argued that Chartism was a direct result of the failure of general unionism.
Evidence that the Derby lock-out was the central dispute around which the GNCTU was created, follows. This takes the form of the hypothesis that the Derby Trades Union lodge was created upon the synthesis of traditional trade union organisation and revolutionary trades union ideology. The contention that the Derby dispute was selected from a number of similar conflicts for national prominence due to factors making it a prime ideological struggle between capital and labour is then made. The attitude of the local middle class and national trades union media is then discussed.
Finally, the cases put forward by historians for opposing centres of attention are indicated and analysed. These are summarised as the ideas and leadership of Owen; the London Tailors Union and the traditional trade dispute explanation; and concluding with the position of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
The conclusion is that the Derby dispute is both central and informative about the nature of the GNCTU. The GNCTU appears to have had aspects of both revolutionary unionism and traditional trade combination at its core.
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